Tanzania strikes gold in small-scale mining 

DODOMA: TANZANIA has Geita, Shinyanga, Mara, and Mbeya as the top four regions with the highest participation in small-scale mining activities that significantly boost household incomes and stimulate socio-economic development.

This has come at a time when the mining sector continues to grow rapidly, serving as a key driver of employment, investment, and socio-economic development for citizens and the nation as a whole.

Speaking today, June 21, 2025, during the ongoing Public Service Week celebrations at Chinangali Grounds in Dodoma, Mining Inspector from the Directorate of Mines Inspection and Environment at the Mining Commission, Ashen Mwambage, emphasized the need for more Tanzanians to seize the various opportunities presented by the mining sector.

He said, the government, through the Mining Commission, has intensified efforts to strengthen the sector by ensuring effective oversight, transparency, and stakeholder engagement across the entire mining value chain.

 These achievements are attributed to improvements in policies, legal frameworks, and the adoption of modern digital systems that enhance governance in the sector.

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“The government has made tremendous efforts to ensure these opportunities reach all Tanzanians. With the establishment of mineral markets across various regions, mineral prices are now transparent, government revenues are increasing, and miners are receiving fair returns,” he said.

Regarding technology, Mwambage noted that the government has been at the forefront of promoting modern techniques in mineral exploration, extraction, and processing to enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the safety of small-scale miners. These efforts are supported by regular training programs aimed at equipping miners with relevant skills and knowledge.

“We should not export raw minerals. Instead, we must focus on value addition within the country. This approach has opened up numerous employment opportunities, boosted entrepreneurship, and increased the national income,” Mwambage added.

He further stated that the success of the mining sector has had a positive ripple effect on other industries, such as transportation, accommodation, cargo logistics, financial services, and insurance underscoring the mining sector’s critical role in driving Tanzania’s broader economic growth.