DAR ES SALAAM: WE all know that data breaches that is to say data stored online are at risk of cyberattacks and theft and that is why perhaps, experts deemed of coming up with a blockchain idea.
This might attempt one to ask- Blockchain? This is a digital ledger of transactions maintained by a network of computers in a way that makes it difficult to hack or alter.
The technology offers a secure way for individuals to deal directly with each other, without an intermediary like a government, bank or other third party.
Put in another way, blockchain is a decentralised digital ledger that records transactions across many computers in such a way that the registered transactions cannot be altered retroactively by unauthorised individuals.
This makes Blockchain technology exceptionally secure and transparent.
For instance, in the gemstone industry, blockchain is used to create a transparent and immutable record of each gemstone’s journey.
The T3 System, for example, tracks a gemstone from mining through each stage of its lifecycle, recording data like provenance, ownership changes and processing details.
This ensures authenticity and helps combat issues like fraud and conflict minerals by providing a secure, verifiable history of the gemstone.
A case study in Tanzania was when recently a Canadianbased Gemfund Founder, Mr James Biss, during the ‘Annual Gemstone Value Addition Pamoja Training’ last week, in Dar es Salaam said that every gemstone piece is accompanied by a special QR code, which generally remains constant in its digital form throughout its processing journey.
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This QR code contains extensive information and points to a dedicated, dynamic and secure web page that anyone can view.
The QR code can be scanned by any mobile device, providing instant access to the gem’s full history and value addition journey.
As the gem moves from the mine to processing, to retail, and finally to the consumer, the QR code ensures that every part of chain is in the value addition cycle, upstream.
In fact, retailers and their customers have the option to directly send micro royalties or effectively “tips” to the individuals involved from the start of the gemstone’s journey.
This provides whole new marketing and merchandising opportunities for retailers to promote ethical gemstone sourcing.
From the mine to the final consumer, each gemstone’s journey can be fully traced and reduce the reduce the risk of fraud and unethical practices.
During the two-day training to participants from within and outside Africa, discussing a number of topics including: ‘Africa Mining Vision and Value Addition’, ‘How to do Business Legal: Rules and Regulations case study Tanzania’, ‘Blockchain Technology for Transparency and Traceability’, as well as ‘Ethical and Sustainable Mining Practices’, to mention a few as organised by Tanzania Women in Mining and Mineral Industry (TWiMMI), it was an occasion to share ideas on the rare metal.
Commenting, the African Mineral Development Centre (AMDC) Programme Officer, Mr Mkhululi Ncube, said that the centre is committed to advancing the African mining vision, especially by driving the social and economic transformation in the mineral resource sector.
As the mining sector evolves, local value addition becomes crucial for sustainable development, he said, adding that: “This training programme aligns with Africa’s commitment to fostering economic growth, creating jobs and advancing industrial development.
“By equipping youth and women skills in gemstone value addition, we support governmental initiatives and address the growing demand for skilled professional in the sector.”
On her part, a Gemologist for Mining Commission, Engineer Dorcas Moshi said that like any other businesses, the gemstone industry in Tanzania operates under regulations, such as Mining (Value Addition) Regulations, 2020 that emphasises on carrying value addition activities within the country; ban on exportation of gem quality rough gemstones weighing two grams and above- promotion of the lapidary activities, raw materials to work with the Mining (Lapidary) Regulations, 2020.
“Tanzania is one of the gemstone rich countries in the world, being the only source of Tanzanite, a home of rare pink diamonds and endowed in varieties of eye catching precious and semi precious gemstones,” she said.
Director and Founder for the Kenya-based Versa Luxe Ltd, Ms Joy Mayunga, praised the training organiser, saying that the initiative was an eye-opening experience that deepened the participants’ understanding of especially ethical and sustainable mining practices, particularly within the context of Tanzania’s rich mineral sector.
Again, she added, understanding the regulatory framework governing gemstone trading in Tanzania was another critical area of learning, with the initiative highlighting the strict regulations that ensure the fair trade of gemstones, promoting transparency and protecting the rights of local miners and traders.
She was personally deeply impressed by the support and commitment of the Ministry of Mines towards youth and women empowerment.
The Ministry’s efforts to promote ethical mining practices and provide opportunities for youth and women in the mining sector were particularly inspiring.
“Their involvement is crucial in driving positive change and fostering sustainable development within the industry,” she said.
Closing the training, Deputy Minister for the Ministry of minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa said that value addition to minerals is the major priority for the Ministry, as per 2009 Mineral Policy and Mining Act, to enhance benefits to people and the nation in general.
According to him, value additional chain benefits the majority of people through job creation, technology growth and government revenues increase.
The government’s current strategy being to make sure that there are enough experts who match with the modern mineral value addition technologies, said the Deputy, revealing further that: “We as well amend the laws to control raw minerals exportation.
We have started with strategic minerals. We commend TWiMMI for organising this training that matches with our mining policy and government’s plan.”
TWiMMI Executive Director, Ms Mecktilder Mchomvu, commented that: “This is season one of the Pamoja Initiative: Gemstone Value Addition, we are planning to have two seasons a year.
“We call all stakeholders across the continent and global to come join hands in this, because local value addition is a catalyst of robust cross cutting industries within the mining sector and mining communities.
TWiMMI is open to join hands with everyone interested.”
Meanwhile, all 40 training participants were given gemological toolkits for gemstone identification, and finally toured one of gemstone mines in the Rudewa area of Morogoro region, for further familiarisation.
