A parliamentary committee has commended Tanzania’s state-owned mining company for promoting clean energy through a briquette production project aimed at reducing reliance on firewood and creating jobs.
Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals praised the initiative by the State Mining Corporation during an inspection of mining sector projects in the Tabora region.
The project produces a clean fuel known as Rafiki Briquettes, manufactured at a facility with the capacity to produce up to 20 tonnes of briquettes per hour.
Speaking during the visit, Deputy Minister for Minerals Steven Kiruswa said the government is committed to expanding the use of clean energy, particularly in regions where firewood consumption remains high.
Kiruswa said STAMICO has already installed four production machines with the capacity to produce the briquettes, which are located in Kiwira in Songwe region, Visegese in Pwani region, Chigongwe in Dodoma region, and Kiloleni in Tabora region.
He said the Tabora project specifically targets tobacco farmers who traditionally rely heavily on firewood for curing their crops, as well as institutions and households seeking alternative energy sources.
Chairperson of the parliamentary committee, Subira Mgalu, praised STAMICO for implementing an innovative and sustainable project that contributes to the broader mineral value chain and supports the national agenda on clean energy.
She urged the corporation to expand the Rafiki Briquettes project to other regions to promote environmentally friendly energy use and reduce pressure on forest resources.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Msafiri Mbibo, thanked the committee for its recommendations, saying the feedback would help improve the project, particularly in expanding employment opportunities and increasing production capacity.
Earlier, Acting Managing Director of STAMICO Deusdedith Magala said the Rafiki Briquettes initiative is expected to create jobs for more than 1,000 Tanzanians across its various production sites.
He added that STAMICO plans to continue supporting the government’s clean energy agenda while promoting sustainable industrial development in the mining sector
