Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has approved the awarding of a large-scale nickel mining license to the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen state-owned enterprises and formalize small-scale mining.
The license covers a 45-square-kilometre area in the Ntaka Hills of Nachingwea District, Lindi Region. It is expected to enable STAMICO to launch full-scale nickel extraction within the next 18 months, as stipulated under Tanzania’s Mining Act.
Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde, speaking during a public meeting with miners and residents in Nditi village, said the President’s directive also includes the formal integration of small-scale miners who have long operated in the area.
“President Samia has heard the voices of local miners who have for years demanded access to government-owned mining areas,” Mavunde said.
“Her directive ensures they are not displaced, but rather recognized and licensed under formal legal structures.”he added
He urged miners to comply with existing regulations, particularly provisions requiring them to obtain consent from landowners before initiating mining operations, to avoid potential conflicts.
The Ntaka mining license, previously held under government custodianship, had involved compensation payments exceeding TZS 243 billion (approximately USD 95 million). Minister Mavunde stressed the importance of ensuring the investment yields returns to the national treasury.
“This is a strategic asset. STAMICO and the artisanal miners must now move swiftly and responsibly to commence productive operations that reflect the scale of the government’s investment,” he said.
President Samia’s directive is being viewed as a move to both empower Tanzania’s national mining company and ensure grassroots economic inclusion. Small-scale miners in Nachingwea welcomed the announcement, describing it as a historic gesture that validates their role in the country’s mineral economy.
The Ntaka Hills area is believed to hold one of the most promising nickel reserves in East Africa, making the site critical to Tanzania’s ambition to become a key player in the global energy transition, where nickel is an essential component in electric vehicle batteries.