By Alfred Zacharia
Mining and explosives inspectors have been urged to carry out their duties with professionalism, fairness, and full compliance with national laws and procedures.
Engineer Hamisi Kamando, Director of Mines and Environment Inspection, made the call on May 29, 2025, during the closing of a two-day meeting in Mwanza aimed at building inspectors’ capacity and reviewing mining and explosives regulations.
“We must not allow ourselves to be influenced by corruption or personal interests. It is essential to maintain discipline, integrity, and transparency in our work,” said Engineer Kamando.
He added that the mining sector is crucial to the country’s economy and inspectors must work diligently to support its growth.
The meeting proposed updates to the Safety, Health and Environmental Regulations, which have become outdated since the Mining Act was last amended in 2017.
“The regulations need to be revised to align with current laws and improve operational efficiency,” Kamando explained.
He also highlighted the need to review the Explosives Act of 1963 and its 1964 regulations to enhance the management and control of explosives nationwide.
Senior Legal Officer Damian Kaseko of the Mining Commission said, “The proposed amendments to the Explosives Act aim to improve the clarity and enforcement of the law to ensure safer handling and use of explosives.”
Speaking on behalf of the participants, inspector Siri Boga said the meeting was valuable for learning new inspection methods.
“The training has equipped us with better tools and approaches to perform our duties effectively,” she said.
Simiyu Regional Mining Officer Maige Makolobela, also Chairperson of Regional Mining Officers, emphasized the importance of such meetings for experience sharing.
“Many young inspectors have recently joined the commission. Forums like this are vital for their learning and growth,” he noted. He further stressed the urgency of updating the Explosives Act, saying, “The current law was drafted decades ago, and it no longer reflects the scale of today’s mining activities.”
The meeting ended with a commitment from all participants to promote professionalism, update regulations, and improve collaboration to strengthen oversight in Tanzania’s mining sector.
