Mirerani’s Tanzanite City Centre to open next year

SIMANJIRO: WORK on the Tanzanite City Centre, a major national and international mineral trading hub taking shape in Mirerani, Simanjiro District, is nearing completion, with the 5.4bn/- project set to be finalised by February next year.

The government is building the modern five-storey facility to bring mineral trading closer to the Tanzanite mines, including national and international auctions, with the aim of ensuring that both traders and small-scale miners benefit from the sector.

Project Manager from the National Housing Corporation (NHC), Goodluck Masika, said the project is 98 per cent complete.

He noted that the first through third floors have been finished and major traders have already moved into their office spaces.

Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, thanked the project team for the progress and stressed that the building must be completed on schedule to host Tanzanite auctions and exhibitions.

“The government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, aims for the Tanzanite City Centre to ensure Tanzanite sales occur within Mirerani, benefiting both the government and local residents,” Mavunde said.

He added that tax revenues from Tanzanite have been steadily increasing since President Samia took office, marking a key achievement for the mineral sector.

“Let us stop conducting Tanzanite business in violation of laws and regulations. To grow this industry, we must follow the rules and this building should serve as the hub for buying and selling Tanzanite,” he emphasised.

ALSO READ: TZ targets higher mineral revenues with Tanzanite market reforms

Mavunde also highlighted efforts to address challenges faced by small-scale miners, including the construction of a hospital within the mining area by Franone Company, owned by Onesmo Mbise.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Tanzania Mineral Traders Association (CHAMMATA), Jeremia Kituyo, called on the government to provide loans to traders to boost their economic capacity and increase government revenue.

Kituyo commended President Samia’s administration for achieving significant milestones in the mineral sector, noting that traders now conduct business and pay taxes willingly.

He added that under the President’s leadership and effective supervision by the Ministry of Minerals, the sector has become a major national revenue generator, consistently surpassing annual collection targets.