Barrick expands local content efforts
MARA: BARRICK Mining Corporation is increasing local participation in the mining sector through supplier development, employment and opportunities for domestic businesses under the government’s Local Content Policy.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Fifth Local Content Compliance Forum in Mwanza, Barrick North Mara Supply Chain Manager, Enock Otieno said the company, through the Twiga Minerals joint venture with the Tanzanian government, had moved beyond policy discussions to implementing local content commitments across its operations.
Mr Otieno said local businesses have significant opportunities to supply goods and services to the mining industry but must improve product quality, adopt modern mining technologies and build technical capacity to meet international standards.
He identified three key constraints limiting local participation as high cost of executing specialised mining contracts, inconsistent quality of goods and services, and slow adoption of modern technology. He urged local suppliers to embrace innovation and skills development to strengthen their competitiveness.
The remarks come as Tanzania continues to position mining as a key driver of economic growth. Opening the forum, Minerals Minister Mr Anthony Mavunde said the sector contributed 1.4tri/- in non-tax revenue to the government’s Consolidated Fund by the end of June and now accounts for 10.1 per cent of gross domestic product.
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Annual procurement of goods and services by the mining industry has reached 5.1 tri/-, creating substantial opportunities for Tanzanian businesses, while the sector employs 20,421 workers, including 16,695 Tanzanians, Mavunde said.
He attributed the rising participation of local companies and professionals to reforms in mining laws and local content regulations, noting that Tanzanians are increasingly occupying senior management positions in mining companies, including at Barrick North Mara.
Government officials said continued investment and the anticipated development of new mines would generate additional opportunities for local suppliers.
They urged businesses to invest in production capacity, improve quality standards and strengthen competitiveness to capture a larger share of mining expenditure.
