Tanzania issues mining license draft for small-scale miners   

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Minerals has completed drafting an agreement between mining license holders and small-scale miners, which has been submitted to Resident Mining Officers across the country for supervision once it is signed and registered, the Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, said today, January 28, 2026.

Dr Kiruswa told the Parliament in Dodoma while responding to a question from the Katoro MP, Engineer Kija Ntemi, who wanted to know who will oversee the agreements between license holders and small-scale miners, as well as the duration of these agreements.

He said the agreements will last for three years and can be renewed for another term based on the mutual consent of the parties involved. “These agreements will last for three years and may be renewed according to the parties’ agreement,” Dr Kiruswa stated.

Furthermore, Dr Kiruswa explained that following amendments to the 2018 Mining Rights Regulations carried out in 2025, Regulation 5A (1) requires that a small-scale mining license holder enter into an agreement with any small-scale miner operating within their licensed area and ensures that the agreement is approved and registered by the Minerals Commission.

ALSO READ: Govt expands small-scale mining licenses nationwide

In another matter, while responding to a question from the Tarime Rural MP, Mwita Waitara, who wanted to know when the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) regulations for mines will be revised so that development projects are managed by local councils through the Local Fund system rather than by investors, Dr Kiruswa said that Regulation 15(1) directs license holders to take responsibility for implementing their CSR plans.

He added that in implementing CSR projects, license holders are required to follow procurement procedures and may hire a contractor or any other person to carry out projects included in their CSR plan.