Efforts to increase value addition in Tanzania’s mining sector are beginning to bear fruit in Kilimanjaro, as Mega Copper Co Ltd ramps up the quality of its copper production from 1% to between 20% and 25%.
Speaking in Kiruru Village, Mwanga District, the company’s Managing Director, Ally Ng’anzo, said the upgrades have strengthened Mega Copper’s competitiveness in the international market, with China currently serving as the main export destination.
Ng’anzo added that, alongside the current improvements to produce copper concentrates, the company plans to invest further by installing specialized value-addition facilities, aiming to reach a purity level of up to 99%.
This step is expected to increase the product’s market value, expand market reach, and ensure a steady supply of raw materials for domestic industries producing copper-based products.
Currently, the company employs 65 workers, including 20 at the processing plant and 45 in the mines. This has created job opportunities for local youth in Mwanga and surrounding areas, while also contributing to the local economy.
Meanwhile, Kilimanjaro Regional Resident Mining Officer, Engineer Abel Madaha, highlighted that the mine, which is 100% Tanzanian-owned, remains a key source of revenue, contributing over TZS 500 million in royalties alone over the past two years.
He emphasized that the mine exemplifies the government’s policy of promoting value addition before mineral exports, a strategy designed to boost national revenue, create jobs, and transfer technology.
Engineer Madaha encouraged other investors to take advantage of opportunities in the region, noting that Kilimanjaro still has untapped metal resources and industrial potential.
“The Mining Office will continue to support all investors to ensure that the mining sector grows rapidly and contributes meaningfully to the development of the region and the nation as a whole,” he said.