Minerals Minister Antony Karume. Photo: Courtesy
By Charles Mkoka
Minister of Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, has directed officers under her ministry to strengthen control measures, particularly in border regions, to curb the smuggling of precious minerals. Mavunde’s stern warning comes amidst an increasing number of high-profile cases involving the illegal transportation of gold and other valuable minerals, with recent seizures highlighting the severity of the problem.
“Just recently, we intercepted 15 kilograms of gold at the Dar es Salaam port, and we confiscated both the gold and the proceeds from its sale. The culprits are now facing trial. You must collaborate with task forces in your respective areas to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” the minister emphasized while addressing mining officials.
Mavunde singled out Kahama, the leading region in illegal gold trading, where the smuggling methods have become increasingly sophisticated. She raised concerns about reports of gold transactions being masked as rice milling activities, urging the Regional Mining Officer (RMO) of Kahama to bolster surveillance in the area.
“I have already instructed the Permanent Secretary to designate Kahama as a Special Zone because most of the smuggled gold is passing through there. I’ve seen you, RMO, conduct raids on several occasions, but you need to extend this vigilance to other regions, especially those bordering other countries,” she added.
The minister made it clear that mineral smuggling deprives the country of substantial revenue, tasking every mining officer with being part of the solution. She urged them to play an active role in ensuring that smugglers are apprehended and prosecuted.
In addition to curbing smuggling, Mavunde called on the Commissioner of Minerals' Office to work closely with RMOs to support and nurture small-scale miners. She noted that while large-scale investors in the mining sector have their operations well supervised, local small-scale miners are often left without adequate oversight or guidance.
“We need to establish a system where we collaborate with RMOs to identify and develop Tanzanian investors in the mining sector. By mentoring and assisting small-scale miners to overcome their challenges, we can turn them into significant contributors to our economy,” she said.
Mavunde further stressed the importance of addressing obstacles faced by small-scale miners, as their success could generate substantial revenue for the country. She urged officials to sit down with miners, help them resolve any issues, and find ways to enhance their productivity.
In another directive, the minister ordered the closure of loopholes in the tax collection system. She emphasized that increasing revenue collection was a fundamental part of their responsibilities, and any gaps in the system needed to be sealed to prevent further loss of revenue.
"RMOs, each of you has been given targets to meet for this financial year. If you feel that you are falling short of these targets due to issues beyond your control, whether systemic or structural, make sure to raise the issue promptly,” Mavunde said.
The call to action was clear: mining officers must work diligently to stamp out smuggling, protect Tanzania’s mineral wealth, and increase revenue collection for national development.