DODOMA: MINISTER for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, has directed all large and medium-scale mining projects that have already been licensed to commence operations immediately.
Speaking in Dodoma on Friday during a special meeting with the Tanzania Chamber of Mines (TCM), Minister Mavunde emphasized the necessity of the timely execution of mining projects.
The meeting aimed to address key issues in the mining sector and enhance the management and regulation of mining and trade activities for the sector’s overall development.
“The government has played its part by removing various bottlenecks and simplifying procedures. Now, it is the investors’ responsibility to ensure that projects are implemented without delay,” Minister Mavunde stated.
He underscored the government’s commitment to continued collaboration with stakeholders, including TCM, in resolving challenges faced by investors to ensure steady sectoral growth.
“We will work closely with relevant institutions to identify and swiftly address existing challenges. We do not want any bureaucracy to hinder the development of this crucial sector. This government operates as one with a single objective,” he affirmed.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted the importance of research in the mining sector, noting that sustainable development relies heavily on substantial investments in research to boost production and efficiency.
He commended stakeholders for their efforts in supporting the Vision 2030 strategy, ‘Mining is Life and Wealth,’ spearheaded by the Ministry to enhance geological surveys, job creation for Tanzanians, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, and local content participation.
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On the economic impact of the mining sector, Minister Mavunde reported steady growth, with its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increasing from 7.2 per cent in 2022/23 to 9.0 per cent in 2023/24.
The government aims for the sector to contribute at least 10 per cent to the GDP by 2025, in line with the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) manifesto (2020-2025) and the National Development Plan.
Regarding government revenue collection, the Minister noted significant progress, with revenues increasing from 162bn/- in the 2015/16 fiscal year to 753bn/- in 2023/24.
The government has set a target of collecting 1 tri/- in the 2024/25 financial year, which appears achievable given the current revenue collection trends.
For his part, TCM Executive Officer, Engineer Benjamin Mchwampaka, commended the government for its continued engagement with industry players in policy discussions to create a conducive investment climate.
He acknowledged Tanzania as one of the few countries where the private sector is actively involved in crucial policy dialogues alongside government officials, citing the joint participation of the Ministry and TCM in major international forums such as the annual Mining Indaba in South Africa.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthening partnerships to accelerate the sector’s growth and maximize its contributions to Tanzania’s economic transformation.
