November 21, 2024 - The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Minerals, Engineer Yahya Ismail Samamba, has directed regional mining officers to intensify their oversight of safety and environmental practices in mining areas, particularly during the rainy season, to mitigate risks of accidents and potential fatalities.
Speaking at a high-level meeting with the management of the Mining Commission in Dar es Salaam, Engineer Samamba emphasized the importance of proactive safety inspections, urging officers to halt mining operations in areas deemed hazardous due to heavy rains.
The meeting was attended by the Chairperson of the Mining Commission, Janet Lekashingo; Acting Executive Secretary of the Mining Commission, Engineer Ramadhani Lwamo; as well as other directors, managers, and regional mining officers.
“I urge you to conduct extensive inspections across all mining sites, particularly in this rainy season, and suspend activities in high-risk areas to prevent any incidents,” Samamba stressed.
Engineer Samamba praised the regional mining officers for their strong performance in revenue collection, highlighting the impressive revenue figures achieved during the first quarter of the 2024/2025 fiscal year. As of now, approximately TZS 395 billion has been collected.
He encouraged officers to continue implementing innovative solutions to increase revenue collection and minimize loss, despite global challenges such as fluctuating gold prices and anticipated rainfall disruptions.
“Your efforts in achieving TZS 395 billion in revenue collection during the first quarter have been commendable. I urge you to sustain this momentum and seek creative ways to enhance collections, even as global gold prices fluctuate and we face the challenges of the rainy season,” he remarked.
In addition, Engineer Samamba emphasized the need for officers to engage with stakeholders in the mining sector to promote investment opportunities within their regions.
He recommended utilizing workshops, exhibitions, and conferences to create awareness and attract investment.
He also called on officers to provide close supervision to their subordinates, assuring them that the Ministry of Minerals is committed to addressing existing challenges.
The include improving access to adequate equipment and enhancing the welfare of employees across the sector.
The Permanent Secretary's directives highlight the ministry’s dedication to improving operational safety standards, optimizing revenue collection, and fostering a more resilient and supportive environment for those working within Tanzania’s mining sector.
