Tanzania is moving closer to achieving its goal of processing more minerals within the country, in line with directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
A new nickel and copper processing and smelting plant under construction in Mayamaya, Bahi District, has reached 85 percent completion and is expected to begin operations in February 2026.
The Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, announced the progress on November 21, 2025, during his inspection tour of the site.
He said the plant will start by processing 300 tonnes of ore per day and represents a major investment of TZS 37 billion.
Mavunde encouraged small-scale miners nationwide to supply their ore to the plant, noting that it provides a reliable and well-organized market.
He explained that the broader aim of establishing such facilities is to ensure Tanzania completes the full mineral value chain from extraction to value addition so that the country exports finished products rather than raw minerals.
Bahi District Commissioner, Joachimu Nyingo, welcomed the development, saying it reflects President Samia’s commitment to attracting more mining investments to the Dodoma Region.
He noted that the new facility becomes the ninth mineral value-addition plant in the region.
The plant’s supervisor, Hassan Ngaiza, highlighted expected economic and social benefits, including more than 300 direct and indirect jobs, as well as secure markets for mineral ore and related products.
The Chairperson of the Tanzania Small-Scale Metal Miners Association, Thobias Kente, expressed gratitude to the management of the Zhong Zhou plant for maintaining steady progress toward timely completion.
He said the project will provide small-scale miners with a dependable domestic market for the minerals they produce.