Dodoma is set to mark a new chapter in Tanzania’s mining industry, as Shengde Precious Metal Resources Company Ltd prepares to launch full-scale production at its new copper refinery in Nala this July.
The state-of-the-art plant, now in its final stages of development, is poised to transform the region into a key player in the country's mineral value addition agenda.
Once operational, the refinery will produce copper cathodes high-purity copper plates essential in global manufacturing and export markets.
During an inspection tour, Dodoma Regional Mining Officer, Engineer Menard Msengi, described the project as a milestone in executing the national directive issued by Minister for Minerals,Anthony Mavunde, which requires all domestically mined copper to be refined within Tanzania by July 30, 2025.
“The arrival of this plant is a major leap forward. It will enhance value addition, guarantee a reliable market for small-scale miners, and increase both local and national revenues,” said Eng. Msengi.
The Shengde facility is being monitored as part of a broader United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiative aimed at catalysing sustainable growth in Tanzania’s industrial mining sector.
The programme supports improved oversight of royalties, mine safety, and community development.
Shengde’s Director, Abia Mafie, confirmed that production trials are already underway. “At this stage, the plant can process 20 tonnes of copper cathode per day. We’re now finalising the installation of larger equipment that will boost our capacity to 1,000 tonnes daily,” he said.
He underscored the company’s commitment to sustainability and efficiency, noting that “even copper dust is put to use in brick production nothing is wasted.”
Mafie also revealed that Shengde plans to establish five additional refining facilities across the country. “This is part of our broader strategy to support the government’s drive to domestically refine and add value to mineral resources before export,” he said.
The plant is expected to play a key role in boosting Tanzania’s mineral economy, providing a lifeline for artisanal and small-scale miners, and advancing the sixth-phase government’s industrialization goals under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership.
With Dodoma set to become a hub for copper refining, the region stands on the brink of an economic transformation anchored on beneficiation, job creation, and inclusive growth.