Barrick organises training for smallscale miners

MARA: THE government has launched a 14-day capacity-building training programme for 48 groups of young small-scale miners from the Nyamongo area in Tarime District, Mara Region.

The training, which began last Saturday, is sponsored by the Barrick North Mara Gold Mine in collaboration with the North Mara Trust Fund.

The groups, comprising a total of 2,736 members, were granted 96 free mining licences by the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, in early May this year.

Musoma District Commissioner Juma Chikoka, speaking on behalf of Mara Regional Commissioner Col Evans Mtambi, urged the youth to take the training seriously, calling it a roadmap for realising their ambitions in the mining sector.

ALSO READ: Mwinyi: Tourism to anchor Z’bar’s economy

“We expect to see new billionaires emerge from Nyamongo through your efforts,” Chikoka told the miners. “The government will stand by you if you face any challenges, don’t hesitate to knock on the door. You will be heard.” He also expressed gratitude to Barrick for allocating part of its land to the small-scale miners, stating that the move would help address the recurring issue of youth encroaching on the North Mara Mine under the pretext of lacking designated mining areas.

The North Mara Gold Mine, Community Relations Manager, Fransics Uhadi, representing the Barrick’s General Manager, Apolinary Lyambiko, said the success of the small-scale mining initiative depends on collaboration between the government and other industry stakeholders.

Training facilitator Dr Elisante Mshiu said that the training will cover a wide range of topics, including mining and mineral processing techniques, business management, financial literacy, health and environmental awareness, group collaboration and relevant mining laws and regulations.