In the heart of Namungo, a once-quiet hamlet in Ruangwa District, a mid-scale gold and green garnet mining project is quietly redefining what development looks like for rural communities in Tanzania.
The Elianje Genesis Mine is no longer just an extraction site, it has become a catalyst for social change, job creation, and opportunity in Lindi Region.
But with all its potential, one thing still holds some locals back: inertia.
“There are so many opportunities here—people can supply food, beverages, cleaning services, safety equipment, even cook for mine staff and assist in mining and processing,” said Abdallah Rashid, Chairman of Chingumbwa Village. “But our people are still held back by laziness.”
Rashid’s candid remarks highlight a growing tension between the promise of natural resource investments and the readiness of communities to capitalize on them. The Elianje Mine, according to Rashid, is a goldmine not just for its minerals but for the array of services and microenterprises it has created.
The impact is visible. At a time when many Tanzanian villages still struggle with access to basic services, Namungo now boasts a deep-water well constructed by the mining company—one that now serves over 918 households.
“Initially, residents walked long distances to fetch water. Now, clean water is just a few steps away,” Rashid noted.
The company’s contributions extend beyond infrastructure.
In a region where dropout rates are exacerbated by long distances to school, Elianje has built a new primary school, currently accommodating 79 students.
“Before this, children walked more than three kilometers to schools in neighboring villages. Some simply gave up,” Rashid explained.
Now, according to him, not only do they have a nearby school, but the company also provides meals during exams, sports gear; football kits for boys, netball kits for girls—and they are finalizing plans to donate a school bus.”
At Chingumbwa Primary School in the neighboring Mbekenyela Ward, head teacher Joseph Raymond applauded the mine's support in preparing students for critical national exams.
“Elianje has built a teachers’ office and installed electricity to facilitate boarding services for Standard Four and Seven students preparing for the June exams,” Raymond said.
These tangible outcomes highlight the shifting landscape of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Tanzania’s mining sector. The company’s investments are not short-term appeasements, but part of a broader, more sustainable community development model.
Behind the transformation is a technology-driven operation. The Elianje Mine Manager, Philibert Masawe, outlined how the company is advancing gold processing using modern techniques.
“We are currently processing gold using Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) technology—a state-of-the-art method. Our plant has the capacity to process 500 tonnes of gold ore per day,” Masawe said.
And while the machines are impressive, the people are the real story: the mine has created 300 jobs for Tanzanians, offering opportunities for skilled and unskilled labor alike.
Masawe credits this progress to Tanzania’s enabling policy environment.
“The government has provided a sound legal and investment framework that encourages local and international investors. That’s why we’re able to build something impactful here,” he said.
Elianje’s story in Namungo echoes a broader lesson: natural resource investments can uplift entire communities—but only if local residents step forward and engage.
“There is work, there are services to be offered, and there is money to be made. We need to shift our mindset. The mine is not just here to extract, it’s here to build,” Rashid reiterated.
As Tanzania continues to position its mining sector as a pillar of economic growth, Lindi Region stands as a living example of what’s possible when investment meets local ambition. Whether communities rise to the occasion, however, remains a matter of choice—and action.