Cement giants tasked to resolve the raw material issue with gypsum miners

DODOMA: THE  Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, has given Tanga Cement and Twiga Cement factories 20 days to meet with members of the gypsum miners’ cooperative from Makanya Village, Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, to reach an agreement on the supply of raw materials used in their factories.

Speaking during a joint meeting between the investors and the Government through the Ministry of Minerals, Dr Kiruswa said the Government aims to ensure that the gypsum trade benefits all parties, guarantees factories a sustainable supply of raw materials, and ensures that miners and surrounding communities gain economically and environmentally.

He emphasized that by February 20, 2026, the management of the companies owning these factories and the miners’ cooperative must sit together to agree on the best way to coordinate this trade without disadvantaging any party. The meeting should also involve village leaders and miners’ associations to establish principles of transparency, fairness, partnership, and sustainability.

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To ensure that gypsum mining and transportation activities comply with the law and serve community interests, the Deputy Minister directed the companies to take the following actions: Environmental Protection: Review all agreements with miners and ensure proper environmental safeguards during gypsum extraction, including filling abandoned pits, Road Repairs: Repair roads leading to mining sites, which are currently in poor condition, to facilitate transportation and reduce community impacts such as heavy dust, Verified Transport of Gypsum: Ensure gypsum is purchased from identified and approved individuals, as confirmed by village leadership, to reduce conflicts and improve accountability.

Additionally, Dr Kiruswa directed the factories to fully implement Community Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, given that they source raw materials from the village, including contributions to education, healthcare, and other community services.