About 4,000 young people and women engaged in small-scale mining in Bukombe District, Geita Region, are set to receive mining licences as the government moves to formalise artisanal mining activities and expand economic opportunities under the Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow (MBT) Programme.
The initiative follows directives from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has instructed the Ministry of Minerals to organise, regulate and empower small-scale miners by allocating them legally recognised mining areas.
Minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, announced the move on Tuesday while addressing a public meeting with miners at the Msasa mining site in Bukombe District.
He said the government has put in place clear mechanisms to ensure women and youth involved in small-scale mining are issued with licences, enabling them to operate legally and benefit fully from the sector.
“President Samia has directed us to ensure small-scale miners are properly organised and allocated mining areas so that their activities are formalised. This is why the Ministry of Minerals is reviewing all licences that are not being developed, so they can be revoked in line with the Mining Act and reallocated to committed miners,” said Mr Mavunde.
He explained that areas under dormant prospecting licences will be repossessed in accordance with the Mining Act, Chapter 123, and redistributed to organised groups of youth and women through the MBT programme, with the aim of boosting productivity and inclusivity in the mining sector.
Mr Mavunde noted that small-scale miners play a significant role in Tanzania’s economy, contributing more than 40 percent of revenues generated from the mining sector.
He said the government recognises this contribution and is therefore working to address key challenges facing artisanal miners, including multiple levies and taxes that affect operations in small mines.
“As government, we acknowledge that small-scale mining is a major contributor to the national economy. That is why we are resolving issues related to levies, taxes and other operational costs that burden small miners,” he said.
The minister further revealed that the government, through the Mining Commission, will hand over an expired prospecting licence located near the Msasa area to organised small-scale miners.
The move, he said, is intended to ensure miners operate in legally designated areas without harassment and with security of tenure.
Mr Mavunde stressed that every Tanzanian has an equal right to own a mining licence, regardless of background, adding that the government has introduced a transparent digital system that allows any eligible citizen to apply for and obtain a licence without discrimination.
“The government has put in place a fair and transparent system. Any Tanzanian has the right to own a mining licence, and no one should be denied that opportunity,” he said.
He also directed the Geita Regional Mining Office to address challenges related to mineral sharing arrangements at small-scale mining sites, stressing that fairness and clarity in production sharing are critical to maintaining harmony among miners and improving output.
Geita Regional Commissioner, Mr Martine Shigela, said the regional government is aware of electricity challenges at the Msasa mining site and is already working to extend power supply to the area.
He said access to electricity will help increase production and significantly reduce operational costs for miners.
Mr Shigela pledged continued support to small-scale miners in the region, noting that their success not only improves household incomes but also boosts government revenue and local economic development.
“I will continue working closely with miners in Geita to ensure their challenges are addressed in time, production improves and the government benefits through increased revenue,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President of the Federation of Miners Associations of Tanzania (FEMATA), Mr John Bina, commended the government for standing with small-scale miners and promoting policies that support their growth.
He assured authorities of FEMATA’s continued cooperation with regulatory institutions to ensure miners operate responsibly and productively.
The licensing initiative in Bukombe forms part of the broader MBT programme, which seeks to empower Tanzanians, particularly youth and women, to participate meaningfully in the mining sector while enhancing compliance, productivity and contribution to national development.