The Rock Block mine in Rombo District, Kilimanjaro Region, is transforming the construction mining sector, creating 122 jobs and generating more than TZS 400 million in government revenue in just three years of operation.
Acting Regional Resident Mining Officer for Kilimanjaro, Engineer Abel Madaha, said the mine’s extraction and processing of rocks for bricks and other construction materials is part of the government’s strategy to manage and develop construction minerals, adding value while boosting national revenue.
“The mine contributes significantly to government earnings through fees, royalties, and taxes paid to institutions including the Tanzania Revenue Authority and the Rombo District Council. This directly stimulates economic growth in Rombo and the wider Kilimanjaro Region,” Engineer Madaha explained.
He noted that the rocks extracted in Holili are a result of lava flows from Mount Kilimanjaro, making them a rare and unique raw material found only in Rombo.
Products from the mine include rock bricks, paving blocks, tiles, cobblestones, wall cladding, kerbstones for road construction, and black pozzolana a special sand used in cement production.
Engineer Madaha added that the rock bricks are three times stronger than ordinary bricks, resistant to mold and frost, and extremely durable, making them ideal for modern construction projects.
He encouraged investors to explore the construction mining sector, highlighting its potential to create jobs and strengthen the economy.
Rock Block Limited Director, Fabian Woisso, said the company employs 72 permanent staff and 50 casual workers, helping to reduce youth unemployment in the area.
“The demand for our products is strong, particularly in Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanga, Dodoma, and Dar es Salaam, due to growing infrastructure and housing projects,” he said.
Woisso added that the company has invested in community projects, including a 9-kilometre road from Holili to Kidondoni, classrooms at Kidondoni Primary School, and donations of bricks to schools and police stations.
He urged youth to seize opportunities in the construction mining sector, emphasizing that it can increase employment, boost government revenue, and support community development.
