DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has outlined measures currently underway to ensure that vital and strategic minerals are beneficial to the nation.
The measures include encouraging investment in the exploration, extraction and trading of the minerals. The government is also conducting research and marketing the available opportunities in the country’s mining industry.
Minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, made the remarks in Dar es Salam recently during a symposium to mark the climax of the commemoration of three years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership as Tanzania’s Head of State.
“In the past three years, licenses for large-scale mining of strategic minerals have been issued, including a license for large-scale mining of rare earth elements (REEs) issued to Mamba Minerals Corporation Limited (MMCL) in Ngualla area of Songwe region,” he said.
He noted that the government also issued a license for extraction of heavy mineral sands to Nyati Minerals Sands Limited (NYSL) in the Tajiri area, Pangani district, Tanga region, and a license for the large-scale mining of graphite has been issued to Faru Graphite Corporation Limited (FGCL) in the Mahenge area, Morogoro region.
The minister added that his ministry has also received one application for a large-scale strategic minerals extraction license and various steps are underway to decide on the issuance of the license. The application includes a large-scale graphite mining license for Duma Tanzgraphite Limited (DTL) in the Epanko area, Ulanga district, Morogoro region.
“Various efforts made by President Samia in the three years of her leadership have helped to attract large investors from outside the country and her various directives that have been worked on by the Ministry have produced these positive results.
“We were accustomed to mine gold and gemstones, but now, thanks to the strong leadership of the sixth phase government and directives of President Samia, we are venturing into the extraction of these minerals, which will also enhance the growth our sector to contribute significantly to the national revenue,” noted Mr Mavunde.
The minister unveiled that the government is also set to establish and construct a Nickel Refinery Plant in Kahama district, Shinyanga region and it has already granted a licence for the refining of such minerals that will now be processed within the country.
The facility will be first of its kind in the country, East and Central Africa and in the world at large.
“This Nickel refining plant is a unique facility that has never been seen before in the history of mineral extraction in the country, East Africa, Central Africa, and the world. Therefore, its construction will help address the long-standing challenge that forced us to export mineral concentrates.”
Moreover, the Minister underscored that during three years of President Samia, the mining sector has achieved a substantial milestone, including contributing significantly to the national revenues in which from March 2021 to February 2024, a total of 1.92tr/-have been collected through the mining sector.
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