42 mining projects face action
DODOMA: THE Mining Commission has given owners of 42 out of 128 small-scale mining projects operating under technical support agreements 30 days to explain their non-operation, warning that failure to provide satisfactory responses could lead to legal action.
The move follows a directive issued by Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde in April this year during the Ministry’s 2026/27 budget speech, in which he ordered the Commission to inspect all projects operating under technical support agreements.
Speaking to journalists in Dodoma yesterday, Mining Commission Executive Secretary, Engineer Ramadhani Lwamo, said the inspection was conducted to assess compliance with the Mining Act, regulations and conditions governing technical support agreements.
He said 86 of the 128 projects inspected were operational, although they had various shortcomings, while 42 were found not to be operating.
“Among the 42 projects found to be non-operational, the Mining Commission has already issued 30-day notices to the owners concerned. If they fail to provide satisfactory responses, legal procedures will follow, including cancellation of the technical support approvals,” Eng Lwamo said.
He said the 86 operational projects had also been directed to correct identified shortcomings within 30 days, warning that failure to comply would attract further legal measures.
The inspection established deficiencies in areas including environmental management plans, corporate social responsibility (CSR), technology transfer, mining operations and mine closure requirements.
Eng Lwamo said the 30-day notices gave licence holders an opportunity to explain the circumstances that had led to their failure to meet the requirements.
“The Commission has the authority to assess and evaluate the responses provided. Where the explanations are justified, the notice may be withdrawn and the owner allowed to continue operations,” he said.
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He urged small-scale mining licence holders operating under technical support agreements to comply with legal requirements, particularly those relating to environmental protection, occupational health and safety.
Eng Lwamo said the Commission would continue conducting regular inspections and take legal action where violations of mining laws and regulations were established.
He explained that technical support agreements were provided under the law to help small-scale miners who lacked sufficient capital and technology to develop their mining areas, improve productivity and acquire modern mining and mineral processing skills.
Under the arrangements, a small-scale mining licence holder may enter into an agreement with an investor possessing the required capital and technological capacity to support development of the licensed area.
However, Eng Lwamo stressed that small-scale mining licences are issued to Tanzanians and do not allow foreigners to become owners or partners in the licence, although they may provide technical support under legally approved agreements.
He said such agreements normally run for three years, giving small-scale miners time to build their technological and financial capacity before independently operating their projects.
Where the intended objectives have not been achieved after three years, he said, the law allows the agreement to be renewed for another three-year period.
