Tanzania cautions mining licence owners against leaving their sites undeveloped
MWANZA: THE Tanzanian government has cautioned owners of mining licences against leaving their areas undeveloped, saying licences that are not being used in accordance with regulations will be revoked and reallocated to miners ready to undertake mining activities.
Deputy Minister for Minerals Dr Steven Kiruswa issued the warning on September 15, 2026, in Mwanza while chairing a meeting to resolve a dispute involving small-scale miners.
He also urged mining licence owners to improve communication and ensure they have accurate information about their jointly owned areas to avoid unnecessary conflicts that could undermine mining activities.
Elaborating, Dr Kiruswa said the Mwanza dispute was largely caused by poor communication and inadequate information among partners jointly holding 33 mining licences where one side alleged that some partners were conducting mining activities without involving them or giving them their rightful share, while the other side maintained that mining had not yet started in the areas covered by the licences.
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After hearing both sides, Dr Kiruswa directed the partners to establish a clear and joint communication system and ensure that each party understands the boundaries and areas covered by the licences they jointly own.
“It is important for small-scale miners to build a culture of trust, cooperation and mutual respect, disagreements among partners could delay development and reduce the benefits expected from mineral resources,” he said.
Moreover, the Dr said the government will not hesitate to take action against licence holders who fail to develop the areas granted to them in line with the conditions of their licences.
He said licences found to be unused for mining activities in accordance with established procedures would be revoked and the areas allocated to miners with the capacity and willingness to develop them.
