The Commissioner for Minerals, Dr. AbdulRahman Mwanga, on Friday chaired a high-level technical meeting bringing together experts from the Ministry of Minerals, the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), and Sismo Elettrica, an Italian geoscientific research company. The meeting took place at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mtumba, Dodoma.
Dr. Mwanga applauded Sismo Elettrica for showing interest in partnering with the Government of Tanzania in advanced geological research a move he said would accelerate the country’s ambition to unlock its vast mineral potential through modern science and technology.
“Our vision is that minerals are life and wealth. By 2030, we aim for at least 50 percent of Tanzania’s land area to be covered by a detailed High Resolution Airborne Geological Survey, compared to the current 16 percent,” he said.
He added that expanding geological data coverage is key to attracting investment, supporting sustainable extraction, and ensuring that the mining sector continues to drive Tanzania’s economic transformation.
Sismo Elettrica Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Francisco Cintoch, said the company brings decades of experience in mineral exploration across Africa, with successful projects in Ghana and Nigeria.
“We use modern technologies such as remote sensing, aerial mapping, and ground-based geophysical techniques. We are confident our expertise will support Tanzania’s strategic objectives in the mining industry,” he said.
Cintoch added that the firm has signed Memoranda of Understanding with several universities to strengthen research transparency and technical capacity. These include the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Siena, and the University of Florence in Italy.
Professor Ricardo Salvini from the University of Siena, who is also a partner of Sismo Elettrica, said the company’s advanced technology enables it to identify mineral rich zones accurately and efficiently.
“We employ aerial surveys using aircraft and drones, alongside precise ground-based geophysical measurements, to pinpoint mineral deposits with great accuracy,” Prof. Salvini explained.
The meeting is part of the government’s wider efforts to deepen international scientific partnerships and promote responsible mining. Through such collaborations, Tanzania aims to ensure that its mineral wealth continues to support economic growth, job creation, and national development.