The Geita Mining Technology Exhibition has highlighted how technological innovation is transforming Tanzania’s mining sector, enhancing efficiency, promoting environmentally friendly practices, and creating tangible benefits for local communities.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who officially opened the exhibition at the Dkt. Samia Suluhu Hassan Grounds in Bombambili, said that mining has become more than an economic driver; it is now a platform for technological progress that directly improves people’s livelihoods.
“Mining in the Lake Zone has evolved into a source of wealth, innovation, and opportunity. Advanced technology and modern management practices are helping miners increase output, reduce losses, and adopt environmentally responsible methods. Communities around mining areas are gaining from job creation, improved infrastructure, and better access to services in health, education, agriculture, and transport,” Majaliwa said.
The Prime Minister urged stakeholders to use the exhibition to demonstrate innovations in extraction, processing, and environmental conservation, underlining the sector’s critical role in sustainable national development.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Minerals, Engineer Yahya Samamba, said the exhibition has been a catalyst for modernization in the mining sector, particularly in gold production.
“Technologies introduced in past exhibitions have increased gold output from an average of 45 tonnes to over 62 tonnes annually. These innovations have improved efficiency for both small and large-scale miners and expanded value addition through mineral processing and refining,” Samamba explained.
Geita Regional Commissioner Martin Shigella noted that the government continues to invest in permanent infrastructure at the exhibition grounds to support innovation and business growth in mining.
“To date, nine permanent buildings valued at over TZS 1.1 billion have been completed, with more construction ongoing. These facilities provide a year-round venue for demonstrations, training, and workshops, ensuring that miners and communities can fully benefit from emerging technologies,” Shigella said.
The exhibition reflects a broader vision: mining as a driver of technological advancement, sustainable practices, and inclusive development that directly benefits Tanzanians in the Lake Zone and beyond.
It also demonstrates the sector’s potential to empower local communities while supporting national economic growth.