The government is pushing for stricter enforcement of mining laws to ensure that mining activities benefit Tanzanians and protect national interests.
The Minerals Commission is training license holders on their responsibilities and the rules they must follow.
At a meeting in Dodoma, Minerals Commissioner Engineer Theonestina Mwasha urged local license holders to run their operations responsibly while reminding foreign investors to follow official procedures before starting any mining activities.
“Every license holder must protect the dignity and interests of Tanzanians in mining areas. It is wrong for a Tanzanian to be mistreated under a license owned by another Tanzanian. Follow the laws and regulations,” Engineer Mwasha said.
She added that license holders must appoint skilled managers to oversee mining operations and ensure the safety of all workers.
Engineer Mwasha also warned against some local investors involving foreign partners without following proper procedures. She stressed that all contracts must be legal and supervised by the Minerals Commission.
“Foreign investors must respect Tanzanian customs and have experts who can communicate in Kiswahili and English. The government will protect and support local investors,” she said.
The Commission’s Legal Officer, Hadija Ramadhan, explained that small mining license holders may enter technical assistance contracts, but all agreements must be official and approved by mining authorities.
Technical assistants provide support in exploration, mining, machinery use, technology, and ore processing.
All equipment used must be listed in the contract and remain with the license holder if the agreement ends.
Minerals Commissioner Dr. Theresia Numbi emphasized the importance of understanding contracts before signing.
“A contract is very important. Consult a lawyer to explain it before you sign. It is better to pay a small cost now than face big losses later,” she said.
Both Commissioners encouraged mining stakeholders to hold regular review meetings to monitor revenue, identify challenges, and track the progress of their operations.
