Dar es Salaam.The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals has called on the Association of Mining Service Providers (Tamisa) to enhance its internal regulatory mechanisms and take firm action against members who engage in dishonest or unprofessional practices.
He said doing so would help build the association’s credibility and increase the trust of mining investors, which would, in turn, enhance local participation in the country’s mining sector.
Speaking during the official launch of Tamisa’s Marketing and Communications Committee in Dar es Salaam today, Permanent Secretary Mr. Kheri Mahimbali Yahaya emphasized the importance of discipline and integrity within the sector.
“The government has received reports of some service providers engaging in deceitful practices, including distributing substandard products. This sector demands significant capital investment, and we cannot tolerate individuals who compromise the integrity of these investments with tricks and shortcuts,” he warned.
He urged Tamisa to adopt a strict disciplinary framework similar to that of the Engineers Registration Board (ERB), which holds its members accountable for poor performance or misconduct.
“Be like ERB—when an engineer fails to meet professional standards, ERB takes action. Strive to build such a system within Tamisa. If you do, you’ll ensure that your members are disciplined and reliable, which will boost the reputation of your association. For this to happen, close collaboration with the ministry is essential, and we commit to supporting you 100 percent,” he added.
Mr. Yahaya also advised the association to ensure it maintains an active and credible membership—individuals who fully understand their responsibilities and can professionally represent the sector when engaging with government offices.
“Tamisa should be composed of members who are knowledgeable, committed, and credible. When such individuals walk into a government office to discuss matters of sectoral interest, they should inspire confidence,” he said.
Tamisa Chairman Mr. Peter Kumalila reaffirmed the association’s commitment to empowering its members by helping them grow their businesses and build capacity to compete effectively in the mining sector.
“One of our main goals is to support our members in scaling their businesses and becoming more competitive. We are also committed to protecting their rights whenever necessary,” he said.
However, Mr. Kumalila stressed that Tamisa will carry out thorough vetting of its members to ensure reliability and professionalism, particularly following complaints about poor performance by some local service providers at mining sites.
“There have been concerns from stakeholders about certain local providers failing to deliver acceptable work or neglecting their responsibilities. Addressing this issue is one of our key priorities,” he explained.
“We’ve taken this matter very seriously. Tamisa will conduct comprehensive evaluations before assigning any job to ensure trust and avoid future conflicts,” he added.
He also urged the government to address the rising trend of foreign workers being awarded jobs that can be effectively handled by Tanzanians.
“We call on the government to intervene and ensure fairness. We also recommend that all joint venture arrangements comply with the law, with a strong emphasis on local participation,” Mr. Kumalila said.
Dr. Sebastian Ndege, the newly appointed Chairperson of Tamisa’s Marketing and Communications Committee, noted that Tanzania is rich in mineral resources and continues to attract significant investment. He said it is now time for Tanzanians to strengthen their role in the mining economy.
“Tanzanians have the right to participate in the delivery of mining services, but with that comes the responsibility to provide those services efficiently, professionally, and on time,” he said.
“As Tamisa, our role will be to ensure that our members uphold professionalism and ethical standards in their work. We are committed to enforcing this with the full weight of our capacity,” Dr. Ndege added.