The Mining Commission Laboratory, located at the TIRDO Complex in Msasani, Dar es Salaam, stands as Tanzania’s premier government-owned mineral testing and analysis facility.
Designed to serve the country’s growing mineral sector, the laboratory offers world-class services that meet international standards.
With a strategic location and cutting-edge equipment including X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) machines, fire assay furnaces, and atomic absorption spectrometers (AAS) the laboratory provides fast, accurate, and affordable results for a wide range of mineral samples.
It plays a critical role in supporting transparency, compliance, and value addition within Tanzania’s mining industry.
The laboratory’s range of services is extensive and tailored to meet the needs of miners, exporters, investors, and mineral traders.
These include XRF analysis for elements such as copper, zinc, nickel, tin, and iron; fire assay testing for precise gold and silver quantification; acid digestion and AAS for detailed base metal analysis; and jewelry and karat gold verification for market authenticity.
Additionally, the lab offers graphite testing, mineral identification, sampling and sample preparation, drying, moisture content tests, and loss on ignition analysis.
All services are performed under ISO/IEC 17025 standards, ensuring global best practices in quality assurance and technical competence.
Under the leadership of Engineer Mvunilwa Mwarabu, the laboratory is staffed by a team of highly trained geochemists, mineralogists, and metallurgical experts.
These professionals not only deliver accurate results but also provide essential guidance to clients, enabling informed decisions across the mineral value chain.
“Our goal is to support evidence-based decision-making for both public and private stakeholders,” said Engineer Mwarabu. “We prioritize precision, reliability, and efficiency in all our work.”
The Mining Commission Laboratory has earned a reputation beyond Tanzania’s borders, serving regional and international clients.
Its analytical results are recognized by global buyers and meet the export certification requirements necessary for international trade.
In doing so, the lab contributes to combating illicit trade, ensuring fair value for Tanzania’s mineral resources, and promoting responsible investment in the extractive sector.
In an industry where trust, data integrity, and compliance are paramount, the Mining Commission Laboratory has positioned itself as a dependable and strategic partner for sustainable mineral development.