Small-scale miners urged to seize opportunity in Singida

SINGIDA: SMALL-SCALE miners in the country have been urged to continue applying for gold mining licences available in Singida Region after the government officially cancelled the exploration licence for Sekenke Exploration Ltd and started reallocating the area to small-scale miners.

The call was made here by the Minister of Minerals, Anthony Mavunde when he was handing over 28 licences to small-scale miners in an event held at the Sekenke One gold mine, Iramba District.

Mavunde said that the government has taken the measure due to owner’s failure to renew the exploration licence for more than 10 years since its expiry date.

“Since this area has the capacity to accommodate more than 300 small-scale miners and only 88 have so far applied, it is obvious there is need for other small-scale miners in the country to take advantage of the floating opportunity,” he said.

Handing over the 28 licences, Mavunde emphasised the importance of utilising the licences fully so that they can benefit the miners economically and equally raise their standards of living.

Finance Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, who is also Member of Parliament for Iramba West, said he was ready to join hands with the Ministry of Mines to go and see the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss on how to eliminate the erratic electricity blackouts in mining areas.

Earlier, Mining Commission Executive Secretary, Eng Yahya Samamba said the area for which the licence has been revoked can accommodate more than 300 small miners but to date only 88 have submitted their applications, leaving 222 licences vacant.

Mining of various types of minerals is one of the main economic activities being undertaken by residents of Iramba district. Statistics indicate that for the past three years, the district has contributed more than 35bn/- to the national income through the sector.