Govt hails Barrick for successful implementation of local content policy
The Commissioner of the Mining Commission in the country, Janet Lekashingo, has commended Barrick for successful implementation of the local content policy aimed at benefitting locals in the mining project operations.
Closing the two days’ seminar on local content organized by Twiga Minerals Corporation held at Bulyanhulu Mine over the weekend, Ms Lekashingo said that Barrick is among companies which have succeeded to a great extent in implementing the local content in deeds.
“I congratulate Barrick for being in the forefront in implementing the local content in deeds and succeeding in implementing development projects in areas surrounding the Mine through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds,” said Lekashingo.
The seminar brought together Barrick employees and Senior Officers from Mining Commission who made presentations in relation to mining operations in the country while adhering to laws and government directives.
Local Content Policy requires investors in the mining sector to prioritize usage and utilisation of local products and services with the exception of those that are unavailable in the country whereas foreign tenderers are required to partner with local companies.
This is geared to increase growth of the Tanzanian business sector and ultimately economic growth at the individual and national level at large.
She said that one of the responsibilities of the Mining Commission is to oversee stakeholders in the mining sector and ensuring that they implement this policy especially in offering tenders to indigenous companies registered by the Commission and foreign companies partnering with local firms in offering employment opportunities to them.
She further stated that the Mining Commission is ready to offer technical expertise free of charge to Barrick and other mining sector stakeholders by ensuring this policy is implemented and achieve its objective of ensuring that Tanzanians benefit with the mining sector.
Delivering presentation on how Barrick implements Local content policy, the Company’s Country Manager, Georgia Mutagahywa, said up to this moment at least about 70 per cent of service providers in the Barrick Mines in the country are indigenous people.
“The Company has succeeded in implementing this policy in the areas of employment, tenders awards alongside assisting in facilitating community development projects in surrounding areas of the Mines through the CSR allocated funds,” said Mutagahywa.
