A new gold refinery in Chunya District is set to transform the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale miners and boost the district’s economy, marking another step in Tanzania’s efforts to add value to its mineral resources.
Built by Giant Equipment and Machine’s Limited, a Tanzanian-owned company, the state-of-the-art facility is capable of refining up to 20 kilograms of gold per day with a purity level of 99.9 percent.
The plant is in its final stages before full operation, pending final regulatory approval from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT).
For years, miners in Chunya Tanzania’s second-largest gold-producing district after Geita have faced the challenge of transporting their raw gold to distant regions such as Dodoma, Geita, and Mwanza for refining. With the new refinery, that burden will soon be lifted.
“This refinery is a game changer for local miners. They will no longer need to travel long distances to process their gold. It will save time, reduce costs, and allow miners to earn more from their work,” said Hassan Pazi, Operations Manager at Giant Equipment and Machine’s Limited, during an interview with Madini Diary on October 8, 2025.
Pazi revealed that the refinery has already completed three successful test runs, each achieving the international gold standard purity of 99.9 percent, confirming that the facility is ready for production.
“Our tests have shown consistent results, proving that our technology is reliable and efficient. We are now finalizing a few procedures with the Bank of Tanzania before we begin operations,” he added.
According to Pazi, the refinery was constructed entirely with local expertise engineers, contractors, and technicians all of whom are Tanzanians.
The company also runs a gold processing plant equipped with 650-kilogram carbon tanks, sells mining chemicals and protective equipment, and supports small-scale miners through partnerships and training.
He commended the government for providing land and continuous technical support throughout the construction phase, saying the project reflects the success of policies that promote local investment and value addition in the mining sector.
Chunya District Commissioner Mbarak Alhaji Batenga described the project as a major milestone that will strengthen the district’s mining ecosystem and create new economic opportunities.
“This refinery positions Chunya as a key player in Tanzania’s mining value chain. It adds value to locally produced gold, creates jobs, and boosts local revenues,” he said.
“I commend the company for seizing this opportunity in line with the district’s vast mineral potential.”he added
The refinery is expected to generate significant revenue for both the central government and the Chunya District Council through taxes, royalties, and service levies, while also stimulating growth for businesses that supply goods and services to the mining sector.
The development aligns with the government’s strategy to promote value addition and industrialization in the mining sector, reducing dependency on exporting raw minerals.
It also fulfills a commitment made by Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, during the 2025/26 national budget presentation, where he cited the Chunya refinery as part of Tanzania’s plan to expand domestic gold refining capacity.
Once operational, the Chunya refinery will bring the total number of gold refineries in Tanzania to eight, underscoring the country’s determination to ensure that more of its mineral wealth benefits Tanzanians directly through jobs, local industries, and community development.