In a sector long dominated by men, a female entrepreneur in Dodoma Region is breaking barriers and transforming small-scale copper mining.
Ms. Doreen Kissia, the owner of Ikombo Hill Mine located in Matonya Village, Mpwapwa District, has emerged as a leading figure in the extraction of copper, becoming the only woman in the area to own and operate a mine that now provides direct employment to more than 98 per cent of residents from Matonya and the nearby Kinusi village.
Her efforts have not only improved livelihoods but are also setting a precedent for gender inclusion and innovation in Tanzania’s mining sector.
One of her notable achievements has been the construction of a one-kilometre access road connecting the mine to the main road an initiative that has eased transportation of minerals and improved access to the site. The mine currently produces an average of 30 tonnes of copper ore per month.
In an exclusive interview, Ms. Kissia said operational costs remain high due to lack of electricity, forcing the mine to rely on diesel-powered generators. She appealed to the government to support electrification of the site.
“The biggest challenge we are facing is the absence of power. Bringing electricity to the mine will significantly cut costs and improve productivity,” she said.
Mining Commission Engineer Chacha Megewa, who visited the site, encouraged Ms. Kissia and other miners to adopt copper processing technology to avoid wastage and increase value addition.
“One of the main challenges facing small-scale copper miners is the lack of beneficiation technology. Many still discard low-grade ore that could be processed to extract more copper,” he said.
Eng. Megewa clarified that value addition does not necessarily require a large plant. “Even a small on-site processing unit can raise the copper content from as low as one per cent to up to 20 per cent. This allows miners to sell processed copper as cathodes rather than raw ore.”
Mine Inspector Mr. Fahad Mkuu, also from the Mining Commission, urged miners to ensure child labour is completely eliminated from mining operations, citing the dangers involved. He also emphasised the importance of saving and reinvesting earnings into family and community development.
The Mining Commission, through the Office of the Resident Mining Officer in Dodoma, is working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to train small-scale miners under the "Forgotten Minerals Development Project." she added
The initiative targets strategic minerals like copper and aims to equip miners with technical expertise, business advice, and practical tools to tackle common industry challenges.
With the right support, stakeholders say, Ms. Kissia’s story could inspire more women to participate meaningfully in the mining value chain and help position copper as a key mineral in Tanzania’s development agenda.