Tanzania sets example in coal mining management

DODOMA: TANZANIA has continued to strengthen its position as a regional leader in mining sector management and development, particularly in coal mining, attracting growing interest from neighbouring countries.

A high-level delegation from Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Coal Department has arrived in Tanzania for a benchmarking visit.

The mission aims to exchange experiences and learn from Tanzania’s advancements in coal mining and trade. Speaking during a working session held in Dodoma, the Assistant Commissioner for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in the Ministry of Minerals, Mr Francis Mihayo said that coal mining and trade have become key pillars of Tanzania’s mining sector success.

He told the Kenyan delegation that Tanzania’s gains in streamlining mining operations, especially coal, stem from strong sector governance and crucial legislative reforms, notably the 2017 amendments to the Mining Act.

“In recent years, the mining sector has been performing impressively due to the government’s deliberate efforts to create an enabling environment for investment, including in coal,” said Mr Mihayo.

He added that commercial mining activities are now conducted in adherence to laws, procedures and environmental standards.

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The Kenyan delegation, led by Acting Director of Petroleum, Mr Robert Kibiwot expressed satisfaction with Tanzania’s efforts through the Ministry of Minerals to strengthen the mining sector and its contribution to the national economic development. Mr Kibiwot noted that although Kenya possesses coal resources, the country is yet to commence extraction.

“It is true we have coal reserves, but we have not started mining. Currently, we import coal from Tanzania, South Africa and the United States. That’s why we felt the need to visit Tanzania to learn the best ways to tap into our coal potential,” Mr Kibiwot explained.

As part of the study visit, the Kenyan delegation is expected to tour the Kiwira Coal Mine, owned by the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), to witness practical implementation of Tanzania’s coal mining strategies.

Over the past few years, the Tanzanian government has placed significant emphasis on strengthening the mining sector.

These efforts have started yielding positive results, with increased interest from countries across sub-Saharan Africa seeking to learn from Tanzania’s model of sound mineral governance.

The visit further underscores Tanzania’s growing role as a regional hub for mining sector excellence and knowledge exchange.