Samia firm in putting TZ on global mineral map

DODOMA: THE government has unveiled plans to further strengthen the mining sector in order to ensure that mineral resources contribute fully to the national economy and uplifting the economy by 2030.

The plans were unveiled by President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday while delivering her maiden speech to officially inaugurate the 13th Parliament in Dodoma.

She said that Tanzania is richly endowed with a variety of minerals, yet only 16 per cent of the country’s mineral-rich geological area has so far been surveyed in detail.

“Our task in the coming years is to ensure that these minerals bring development to our people and uplift them economically,” said President Samia.

The Head of the State said that in the previous period, the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy increased from 6.8 per cent in 2020 to 10 per cent in 2024.

She said such growth demonstrates that the sector is now contributing significantly to citizens’ incomes, government revenue and investment in social services.

Looking ahead to 2030, President Samia said the government will complete its strategy for rare-earth minerals to identify their types, quantities and locations, as these strategic minerals are in high demand globally.

“We shall be more vigilant in overseeing investment in rare-earth minerals,” she said.

She added that the government is reviewing all mining licences issued so far to identify those that have not been developed, so that they may be reallocated to miners who have a genuine intention to develop the respective areas.

Regarding small-scale miners, whom she described as a dependable pillar of the mining sector, President Samia said the government will allocate special areas for them, provide licences, offer capital and drilling machinery and supply accurate geological information.

Additionally, she said the Bank of Tanzania’s system of purchasing gold reserves from small and medium-scale miners will continue, ensuring reliable buyers, reducing mineral smuggling and formalising mining activities for Tanzanian youth.

The President said the government will also continue to strengthen markets for minerals and gemstones, including completing the Tanzanite Exchange Centre building in Mirerani.

She said that the government aims for Tanzania to become the leading hub for mineral sales in the East and Central African region by 2030.

Furthermore, to increase the sector’s contribution to national development, the President said the government intends to ensure minerals are processed within the country by establishing a multipurpose refinery by 2030.

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She said that such measure will help eliminate the need to export mineral concentrates, thereby preserving jobs that have previously been lost.

Moreover, President Samia said her government will also establish a ‘Minerals Sovereign Wealth Fund’ to save revenues generated from minerals for the benefit of future generations.

“We recognise that minerals are not like maize, where you can set aside seeds to plant again. Once extracted, minerals eventually run out. We are establishing this fund so that our youth, our future generations, will find not only empty pits but also financial resources to sustain their livelihoods,” she said.