Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, said the country’s mining industry is on track to become a central pillar of the national economy, driven by policy reforms, rising domestic and foreign investment, and expanded value-addition capacity.
Speaking during a mining exhibition in Ruangwa District, Kiruswa said Tanzania is attracting increased investor interest due to its rich deposits of key minerals, including graphite, coal, rare earths, and other strategic resources.
“The mining sector now contributes 10.1% to GDP, and we expect continued upward momentum,” Kiruswa said.
“This is the result of deliberate efforts to strengthen local processing capacity and create an enabling environment for sustainable investment.”he added
Kiruswa emphasized that the government is prioritizing domestic value addition before export. Ongoing initiatives include the construction of gold refineries, mineral processing labs, and industrial facilities aimed at capturing more value within the country.
The remarks come as Tanzania positions itself as a competitive player in global mineral supply chains, particularly for critical and transition minerals essential to clean energy technologies.