Deputy PM woos mining investors to Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM: DEPUTY Prime Minister Dr Doto Biteko has called on local and foreign investors to invest in the country’s mining sector due to the friendly environment.

Dr Biteko made the statement while gracing a two-day 2023 International Mining and Investment Forum (TMIF) sponsored by Geita Gold Mine Limited (GGML) in Dar es Salaam, on Wednesday.

He said that bringing over 2000 stakeholders from in and outside the country is a testimony that the government was serious about improving and promoting the mining sector, where all parties reap benefits harmoniously.

“Obtaining geological information has improved and now done digitally,” the deputy Premier, who doubles as energy minister, said.

The government, he said, has decided to invest in high-quality research to find out the presence of mineral deposits to attract investors to invest. This move will overcome the current challenges the country faces in updating geological information in many areas.

The Minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, said that the discovery of new reserves will lead to the opening of more mining sites in the country and in turn increase the government’s income and employment for Tanzanians.

“There will be no bureaucracy when it comes to investment, our job is to create a friendly environment so that there will be benefits for all parties,” Mr Mavunde said.

Commenting at the event, AngloGold Ashanti – Geita Gold Mine Vice-President for Tanzania and Ghana Simon Shayo narrated how the government has done a lot to improve the mining industry and thus, enabled them to also concentrate on community plough back and fund local projects.

“We can cite the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that has enabled the people around the mine in Geita region to get water service by more than 70 per cent,” Mr Shayo said, adding: “we also focused on prioritising health and safety at the workplace.