Tanzania, Japan’s JICA agree to expand cooperation in strategic minerals research

DODOMA: THE Tanzanian government and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have agreed to expand the scope of cooperation by identifying priority areas to be funded through JICA with the support of the government of Japan, including research on important and strategic minerals.

This was stated in Dodoma at a meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation in the development of the country’s Minerals Sector.

Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Minerals, Msafiri Mbibo said that through JICA, more than 30 experts in the Minerals Sector have been trained in Japan, which has built their capacity and increased efficiency in the implementation of the Ministry’s responsibilities.

For his part, JICA Resident Representative in Tanzania, Dr Katsuyika Kuge, said that in addition to the implementation of the Kizuna Project that builds the capacity of professionals in the sector, JICA plans to expand cooperation in the areas of research on essential and strategic minerals, including copper, graphite, beryllium and Heavy Rare Earth Elements (Heavy REE).

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He also explained that, in line with JICA’s priorities, initially, the research priority will be focused on the area of ferrous and beryllium minerals.

‘’ I commend the Government of Tanzania for its good management of the Mining Sector, in addition to the implementation of the Kizuna Project that builds the capacity of professionals in the Mining Sector, JICA plans to expand cooperation in the areas of research on essential and strategic minerals,’’ said Dr Kuge.