Govt to strengthen ‘local content’ law in mining sector
GEITA: THE government will continue to strengthen the enforcement of the local content law by enhancing linkages between the mining and industrial sectors.
Speaking over the weekend at a special stakeholder forum during the 8th Mining Technology Exhibition in Geita, the Chairperson of the Mining Commission, Ms Janeth Lekashingo said that while significant progress has been made since the law’s implementation, more Tanzanians must benefit from mining opportunities.
“The mission is to ensure that Tanzanians are directly involved in the mining value chain. This will increase economic benefits for communities and boost local participation,” she said.
Ms Lekashingo said that Tanzania aims to avoid the pitfalls experienced in other mineral-rich African countries that focused solely on collecting taxes and levies, benefits that quickly diminished once mining activities ended.
“Through the local content policy, we want to ensure Tanzanians not just the government benefit from the mining sector. This supports individuals, strengthens local companies and contributes to the national economy,” she noted.
She said the 2025 focus is on connecting the mining sector with other economic sectors, particularly manufacturing and industry, to deepen the benefits of local content initiatives.
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Ms Lekashingo acknowledged that many mining license holders have complied with the law through local employment, procurement, training and knowledge transfer.
“The Mining Commission is continuously assessing the actual level of Tanzanian participation to ensure compliance and improve outcomes,” she added.
Commissioner of the Mining Commission, Engineer Theonestina Mwasha said the Commission is also organising capacity-building forums to educate local suppliers and improve their effective participation in mining-related opportunities.
Meanwhile, Geita Regional Administrative Secretary, Mohamed Gombati commended mining companies that are implementing local content strategies, saying these efforts are enhancing the value chain and contributing to increased government revenue.
On her part, Secretary-General of the Federation of Women Small-Scale Miners in Tanzania (TAWOMA) Ms Salma Ernest urged the government to continue creating supportive policies that attract more local investment in the mining sector.
