Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, has given Tanga Cement and Twiga Cement 20 days to meet with gypsum miners from Makanya Village in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, to agree on a fair system for supplying raw materials to their factories.
Speaking during a joint meeting with the companies and the government on January 28, 2026, Dr. Kiruswa said the government wants a system that benefits both factories and local communities.
“Business in the minerals sector must be fair and sustainable. Factories must get raw materials without harming miners or surrounding communities,” he said. “I am giving 20 days, until February 20, 2026, for the companies and the miners’ cooperative to sit together and agree on a model that works for everyone. This meeting must include village leadership and miners’ associations to ensure transparency, fairness, and sustainability.”
Dr. Kiruswa directed the companies to take practical steps to protect both people and the environment. He said the companies must review all contracts with miners and ensure that mining does not harm the environment.
Abandoned pits must be filled, and roads leading to the mines, which are currently in poor condition, must be repaired to ease transportation and reduce dust and other risks to nearby communities.
He also called for strict accountability in purchasing gypsum.
“All raw material must be bought from verified miners approved by village leadership. This will reduce conflicts and ensure everyone is responsible for their actions,” he said.
The Deputy Minister stressed that the factories should implement full Corporate Social Responsibility programs because they source their raw materials from the village.
“These companies have a duty to support the community through projects in education, health, and water services,” he said.
Ahmed Ali, Procurement Director for East Africa under Heidelberg Materials, which owns both factories, said the companies would follow the government’s instructions.
“We will convene a joint meeting with miners and stakeholders and provide feedback to the government within the 20-day period,” he said.
The government’s move highlights growing efforts to regulate the supply of minerals and ensure that local communities benefit from natural resources.