By Alfred Zacharia
The production of coal in Ntunduwaro village, located in the Ruanda ward of Mbinga district, plays a crucial role as a significant source of government revenue and the development of the local community.
In an exclusive interview, Atit Mehta, the Manager of the Market Insight Limited (MILCOAL) mine, revealed that in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the company paid the government a total of 5.2 billion Tanzanian shillings through royalties, levies, and various other fees.
This financial contribution demonstrates the importance of coal mining to the national economy.
As for the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR), Mehta emphasized that MILCOAL has consistently followed the Mineral Policy, which recognizes the responsibility of companies to the communities surrounding their operations.
To fulfill this commitment, MILCOAL has constructed a 23-kilometer road from Ntunduwaro to Liyumbi, improving connectivity in the area.
In addition, the company is working with government officials, including the Regional Medical Officer (RMO), to establish a health center in Ntunduwaro.
This initiative aims to improve healthcare access and alleviate the burden of medical services for the local residents.
Furthermore, MILCOAL has created employment for 200 individuals, including nine workers of Indian origin, with the remaining employees being local residents.
This provides a valuable source of income and job opportunities for the community.
Geologist Abraham Nkya, representing the Resident Mining Officer of the Njombe Region, highlighted that MILCOAL, situated at the border between Njombe and Mbinga districts, is one of the largest contributors to government revenue in the mining sector of the region.
He pointed out that coal alone generated 4.155 billion Tanzanian shillings in the previous fiscal year, making a significant contribution to the region’s overall government revenue.
Finally, Cyprian Ndaza, a Geologist from MILCOAL, urged the government to continue creating favorable conditions for investors to encourage further job creation for local communities.
By doing so, the region can continue to benefit from the growing coal mining industry
