Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, has outlined 13 major achievements recorded in Tanzania’s mining sector during the first 100 days of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, citing strong revenue performance, rising GDP contribution, expanded value addition, and increased support for small-scale miners.
Speaking to the media in Dodoma on Monday, Mavunde said the sector collected Tsh311 billion between November 2025 and January 25, 2026 equivalent to 103 percent of the targeted revenue underscoring improved efficiency and strengthened governance in mineral resource management.
He noted that the mining sector continues to play an increasingly significant role in the national economy, with its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rising from 10.1 percent in the 2024/2025 financial year to 12 percent within the 100-day period.
The Minister attributed the gains to enhanced policy implementation, particularly under the 2009 Mineral Policy, which prioritizes mineral value addition and local beneficiation.
He said the government has accelerated the establishment of processing and refining industries across the country, adding that Dodoma Region alone now hosts nine mineral value-addition plants and four metal-processing facilities handling minerals such as copper and nickel.
As part of efforts to expand domestic processing capacity, Mavunde revealed that the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) has completed 99 percent of construction works on a salt-refining factory expected to serve Lindi and Mtwara regions, a move aimed at boosting industrial production and reducing reliance on imports.
On employment and citizen participation, he said the sector has directly created 18,000 jobs for Tanzanians, while more than six million citizens are engaged across various segments of the mining value chain.
He further noted that legal and regulatory reforms have enabled approximately 90 percent of mining revenues to remain within the country, enhancing local economic retention and national development benefits.
The Minister also highlighted government interventions to empower small-scale miners, including the procurement of 15 rock-drilling machines, issuance of 511 mining licenses to artisanal mining groups in Geita and Shinyanga regions, and the provision of TZS30 billion in loans through financial institutions to support mining and mineral processing activities.
Additionally, the government plans to acquire large-scale Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) processing plants with the capacity to process up to 120 tonnes per hour, alongside the establishment of a guarantee fund to improve access to finance and strengthen technical capacity among small-scale miners.
In the area of geological research and mineral testing, Mavunde said the Tanzania Geological Survey (GST) has commenced construction of modern laboratories in Dodoma, Geita, and Chunya to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of mineral and rock analysis.
He added that Tanzania has entered into a cooperation agreement with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) to strengthen technical expertise and institutional capacity at GST.
Mavunde said the progress reflects the government’s broader strategy to transform the mining sector into a key driver of economic growth, industrialization, job creation, and sustainable revenue generation under President Samia’s leadership.