North Mara allocates 4.6bn/- for new CSR projects

MARA: North Mara Gold Mine is not just digging for gold, it is also digging into its own pockets, and this time, it is putting a whopping 4.6bn/- toward new community development projects under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme in Tarime District. Talk about striking it rich for everyone!

On Friday, the company’s General Manager Mr Apolinary Lyambiko, addressed reporters with an update on the mine’s expanded commitment to the community. He revealed that the funding will go towards a major expansion of the Nyangoto Water Project, aimed at providing clean, safe water to even more villages around the area. Because, let us face it, gold is great, but water is life.

“We’ve allocated 6.687bn/- for new projects, and expanding water access is our top priority,” Mr Lyambiko explained. It is a move that clearly shows the mine’s broader focus on community welfare, not just digging up precious metals.

Operating under the giant Barrick, in partnership with Twiga Minerals and the Tanzania Government, North Mara is one of the country’s largest gold mines. But the gold it produces is not the only thing making an impact, it is also the way the mine contributes to local development.

This latest move is not just a random philanthropic gesture, either. North Mara is already managing over 100 development projects in Tarime District, at a total cost of more than 9bn/-. The focus? Education, healthcare, water, and business development-a solid blueprint for fostering community growth.

Mr Lyambiko further emphasised that the mine’s influence is not just about digging up gold; it is about creating tangible value for surrounding communities. “This mine creates jobs, pays taxes, supports local contractors, and helps build crucial infrastructure,” he said. “We must work together to protect it from intruders and other disruptive activities.”

It is easy to overlook the benefits of mining when you are focused on the environmental impact or the quest for profit, but the numbers tell a different story. North Mara was recently named the top taxpayer in Tanzania, proving that while they are certainly making their fortune underground, they are also using some of that wealth to fund national development.

And it is not just about digging deep into profits, it is about digging deep into the local community. Thanks to the government’s local content policy, the number of local contractors working with the mine has shot up in recent years. Now, Tanzanians, particularly from surrounding villages, are reaping the rewards of the mine’s presence, both in terms of jobs and business opportunities.

When Mr Lyambiko says the mine is local, he means it. 96 percent of the workforce are Tanzanians, with many coming directly from nearby communities. It is not just a gold mine; it is a local workforce empowerment programme in the gold mine.

The mine’s CSR work goes beyond just paying for things, it is about creating a self-sustaining ecosystem of growth. Whether it is building new schools, installing fresh water systems, or boosting local business opportunities, North Mara is ensuring that the communities surrounding the mine are struck by gold in more ways than one.

However, it is not all sunshine and gold. For these initiatives to continue and for the mine’s positive impact to grow, it’s crucial that everyone plays their part. Local communities, government officials, and business partners alike need to respect the rules, safeguard the investment, and help protect the mine from unwanted intrusions and disturbances. This is a long-term game, and the mine’s commitment to supporting the community is only as strong as the partnerships it builds along the way.

The real gold here is not just the stuff in the earth; it is the long-lasting development that comes from investing in the community. So, let us keep the gold rush going, but let us also make sure it is for the good of the people, not just the profits.

In conclusion, North Mara Gold Mine is proving that you don’t have to dig deep just for wealth, you can dig deep for your community too. Whether it is clean water, better schools, or job creation, North Mara seems committed to ensuring that its community development projects are as abundant as its gold reserves.

And when it comes to creating opportunities, there is no such thing as too much gold-whether it is buried under the ground or invested back into the people who make the mine what it is.

The question now is simple: Will we protect this investment and let the gold continue to shine for the good of the people?