Dar's 31 districts sit on minerals

By The guardian reporter

Minerals and Energy Minister Professor Sospeter Muhongo

As mineral extraction remains open to debate, the country’s new geological survey reveals that 31 districts on the mainland have ‘plenty’ of mineral reserves.

 

Minerals and Energy Minister Professor Sospeter  Muhongo said this in Dar es salaam yesterday when launching a high resolution airborne geographical survey conducted to determine the type and amount of minerals reserves across the country

 

Muhongo identified districts and regions listed which are home to mineral reserves as Arumeru and Mbulu in Arusha region,  Babati, Kiteto and Hanang in Manyara Region; Bagamoyo in Coast region and Kilindi, Korogwe and Handeni in Tanga Region, Bahi, Chamwino, Kondoa, Mpwapwa and Dodoma Rural in Dodoma Region). 

 

Others are Chunya, Mbozi and Mbarali  (Mbeya Region); Igunga district in (Tabora Region); and  Ikungi, Iramba, Mkalama, Manyoni, and Urban Singida districts in Singida Region.

Others are Kilosa, Mvomero, Chemba  and Gairo  (Morogoro Region); Simanjiro in (Manyara Region), and Moshi in (KilimanjaroRegion ).

 

He also cited Nachingwea and Mpanda districts that would come under the second phase of the survey.

 

Professor Muhongo said the recent surveys involved the latest technologies in the field --magnetic, radiometric and gravity for the outlined areas and electromagnetic in selected areas where a British geologist worked with local experts

 

“… these findings can also be used in landuse planning and environment management, groundwater detection and also in tracing animal conservation in national parks,” Muhongo added

 

He said the government expects the survey could increase revenue collected from minerals sector currently estimated at 7.8 to 10 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) by the year 2025, according the mineral policy. 

 

He said the high resolution surveys were the best in relaying data they were accurate, low-cost and that they provided huge volumes of information within a short time and, if well utilized, they disseminate prompt information to potential users.

 

He further said the findings had since revealed that there was plenty of gold, diamond, iron, nickel and copper. 

 

Meanwhile, the country geological survey chief executive Professor Abdulkarim Mruma said  the surveys had enable them to know the existing geological environment across the country.
 

He said the project  has cost some Sh60bn/- to survey  the 31 districts, adding these areas had commercial mining potential which the government would offer equal opportunity for all.

 

Airborne geophysical surveys and magnetic data acquisition are common practices that benefit the mining industry and a wide range of exploration professionals. 

 

 

Airborne geophysics provides a broad overview of the geology of a particular area, as well as measure the fluctuating magnetic signatures found in the Earth's crust that may be indicative of mineral concentrations.

 

Airborne surveys are efficient tools in the prospecting step of mineral exploration. They enable large areas of land to be surveyed quickly and cost effectively.  The resolution of the acquired data is contingent upon the height and line spacing of the grid-like pattern flown by the aircraft.