RC Geita commends GGML for sponsoring mining exhibition, attracting 400 participants

GEITA : GEITA Regional Commissioner, Martin ShigelLa, has commended Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML) for continuing to be the main sponsor of the Geita Mining &  Technology Exhibition which this year attracted more than 400 participants.

This comes as the exhibition has grown in popularity, attracting exhibitors from as far afield as Burundi, China, India and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Geita as exhibitors finish setting up their stalls to welcome the public, the Geita Regional Commissioner, Mr Shigela, said that last year, more than 250 companies participated.

He said Geita Region has created a good environment for organisations involved in mineral research, mining using simple technologies, screening and value addition to help small-scale miners grow commercially.

“I welcome investors to invest in refining and value addition industries to educate our citizens and miners to get rid of the use of dangerous chemicals such as mercury. I also welcome all citizens, especially those involved in value addition. I ask them to come in large numbers because the demonstrations started Wednesday on 20 September 2023,” he said.

He said the exhibition will be officially opened on 23 September 2023 by the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Dotto Biteko, who is also the Minister of Energy. The exhibition will be closed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on 30 September 2023.

Speaking on GGML’s participation in the show in Geita on Wednesday, the company’s Senior Manager for Sustainability, Gilbert Mworia, said the show has had a unique appeal since its inception due to GGML’s funding through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund which enabled the construction of the EPZA area as well as the exhibition site.

He said GGML had taken the lead in improving the show by investing Sh800 million in the construction of the EPZA administrative building. “Our support goes beyond the financial support that we have continued to provide every year as we have provided support for the preparation of the exhibition such as tents, an emergency generator and fuel that is used for the entire duration of the exhibition,” said Mworia.

Furthermore, he said that GGML supports the government’s Vision 2025 to achieve the long-term goals of sustainable economic growth, which aims to enable the mining sector to grow and reach a level of 10 percent of Tanzania’s GDP.