Uranium boom begins

• Samia launches mega project at Mkuju River

RUVUMA: TANZANIA has reached another major milestone in its mining sector with the launch of a uranium pilot plant at the Mkuju River Project (MRP) in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region on Wednesday.

The move sets the country on course to become a key player in uranium production, a mineral critical for nuclear energy, cancer treatment and scientific research.

Speaking at the public meeting in Namtumbo shortly after unveiling the pilot plant, President Samia Suluhu Hassan described the day as a long-awaited victory for the nation. She said the launch marked a turning point in the country’s journey to build a modern economy based on technology, knowledge and local resources.

“Today is not just a celebration, but the beginning of something transformative for this region and our country,” she said.

She pointed out that uranium is among the world’s most strategic resources, and Tanzania is one of few African countries with confirmed deposits.

Reports from technical experts indicate that the Mkuju River area has potential to produce up to 300,000 tonnes per year. With the plant now in place, Tanzania aims to position itself as a regional hub for uranium exploration and processing.

President Samia said while Africa holds around 20 per cent of global uranium reserves, much of the mineral is exported in raw form.

The pilot plant puts Tanzania on the global map as it joins the ranks of the top ten contributors to this critical energy source.

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“The uranium pilot facility, developed by Mantra Tanzania Limited, forms part of the government’s broader Vision 2050 strategy to accelerate industrialisation and lift the country into the upper-middleincome bracket,” she said.

The Head of State further said initial projections show the project will operate for over 20 years. During this period, Tanzania is expected to earn approximately 1.2 billion US dollars (about 3.2tri/-) in foreign exchange.

“Government revenue from the project will include 373 million US dollars (about 999bn/-) in royalties, 26 million US dollars (about 69.7bn/-) from tree taxes, 15.7 million US dollars (about 42bn/-) in withholding tax, 20.8 million US dollars (about 55.8bn/-) in licence fees, and 1.01 billion US dollars (about 2.7tri/-) in corporate tax. The state also stands to gain 40 million US dollars (about 107bn/-) in dividends from its 20 per cent stake,” President Samia said.

In her address, President Samia called on institutions involved to ensure that the uranium project benefits Tanzanians, especially the communities living around the mining site. She directed the Ministry of Minerals and environmental agencies to enforce compliance with international safety standards and environmental regulations.

“Let this be a model project, one that is inclusive, safe and delivers real benefits to our people,” she said.

She added that Tanzania could draw lessons from countries like Namibia, which has experience in uranium mining, to avoid mistakes and improve its operations. Sustainability Manager at Mantra Tanzania, Mr Majani Wambura, said that the uranium in the Mkuju River deposit is found in soil rather than hard rock.

“The soil will be milled, washed and processed chemically to extract uranium, which will be turned into yellow cake and packed in secure 200-litre barrels,” he said.

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He further said the pilot plant afterwards will serve as a training facility for Tanzanians, particularly youths from the surrounding communities. Full construction of the main mine is set to begin in 2026 and will take three years.

“We are also in talks with the government to explore possibilities for using uranium in power generation. While the uranium extracted here will need to be enriched abroad, some by-products can be used locally, such as in hospitals for cancer treatment,” he said.

Mantra Tanzania Limited is a subsidiary of Uranium One Group and its parent shareholder, the State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia (ROSATOM). The company owns the Mkuju River Uranium Project (MRP). Mr Wambura added that the mine’s lifespan could be extended with further geological studies.

On Safety, he said, it remains a top priority and the company is working closely with agencies such as the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission to ensure responsible handling and transport of uranium.

Head of Uranium One Group, the parent company of Mantra, Mr Pavel Larionov, said the commissioning of the pilot plant marks the start of a long-term partnership between Tanzania and Russia in the uranium sector.

He said the industrial phase of the project includes construction of a main processing plant with a capacity of up to 3,000 tonnes per year.

“The facility, once operational in 2029, will act as a catalyst for regional development, creating over 4,000 jobs and supporting over 21,000 livelihoods through supply chain opportunities,” he said.

Mr Larionov also said the company’s commitment to community development, citing ongoing investments in education, healthcare and environmental protection in the project area. Russian Ambassador to Tanzania, Andrey Avetisyan, said the uranium project strengthens the bilateral partnership between the two countries.