TZ taps mineral wealth
DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has tasked the Ministry of Minerals to capitalise on High Resolution Airbone Geographical Survey in order to precisely detect the potentiality of minerals.
According to experts, airborne geophysical surveys are performed with the aid of fixed-wing aircrafts or helicopters. These measurements can show different properties of the bedrock or soils, from ground level down to several kilometres depth, depending on the method used.
The Head of State said the survey is a milestone as it will hike revenues obtained from the mining sector, thus reducing national budget deficit, donor dependence as well as cutting down loans appetite.
“I believe after the confirmation of minerals reserve, small scale miners are going to individually benefit as well as contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” she said.
Dr Samia was speaking in Dodoma when officiating at the handing over of 9.2bn/- machines and other equipment for drilling and exploration services to the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), at an event that was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Dotto Biteko, Ministers and other top government officials.
According to the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, only 16per cent of the entire country’s land had so far been surveyed, and that with current minerals in Tanzania, his ministry collected 678bn/- in revenues during 2022/23 financial year.
“Just imagine we managed to collect that amount with only a portion of 16 per cent of the land, this means, if we intensify Geophysical Airbone Survey, we will hike our economy through the sector as well as improving lives of miners,” he said.
In her directives, Dr Samia tasked the Ministry to intensify the survey to have a large number of the country’s land surveyed, insisting: “If we double this percentage, we will help the country to get rid of borrowing as well as reducing the budget deficit,” she said.
At the same occasion, the President warned mineral smugglers who were sneaking the precious products outside the country illegally, saying that law enforcers would not spare them.
“We have several local factories that need raw materials, therefore, instead of transporting minerals outside the country, you should refine them locally so that you export legally and receive a handsome money,” she added.
The President commended STAMICO for implementing her reforms agenda through various reforms that have seen the state-owned mining firm making super profit and providing dividends to the treasury, unlike three years ago when it was cash-strapped.
Earlier in his remarks, STAMICO Director General, Dr Venance Mwasse said that Dr Samia had handed over to his institution five machines and other equipment valued at 9.2bn/-.
He said that 10 other drilling and exploration equipment will be in the country before June 2014. “The equipment are part of 17.3bn/- investment set by STAMICO in this financial year,” said Dr Mwasse.
