The government is finalising a digital system to manage mineral prospecting licences, in a move aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and compliance in the mining sector.
Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, said the system will oversee the entire lifecycle of licences, including applications, quarterly reporting, issuance of default notices and automatic cancellation for non-compliance.
He said once completed, the system will minimise direct human involvement by automating key regulatory processes.
“After this system is complete, you will not see me announcing licence cancellations. The system will automatically revoke licences. It will provide all necessary information, remind licence holders to submit reports, issue default notices and eventually cancel licences if conditions are not met,” he said.
Mavunde made the remarks on April 16, 2026, during an interview on a local television programme.
He stressed that prospecting licences play a critical role in discovering large and medium-scale mines, noting that undeveloped licence areas deny the country potential revenue, jobs and broader benefits across the mining value chain.
His comments follow a directive issued on April 15, 2026, ordering the Mining Commission Tanzania to cancel 40 prospecting licences covering about 900 square kilometres after their holders failed to meet licence conditions despite receiving default notices.
The minister said the government is strengthening enforcement of the Mining Act to eliminate long-standing non-compliance and ensure that only serious investors participate in the sector.
He noted that the mining sector currently contributes 10.1 per cent to the national economy, describing it as a significant achievement but one with room for further growth.
Mavunde also called on young people to organise themselves into formal groups to benefit from government initiatives.
He cited the “Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow” programme, which targets youth, women and people with disabilities by improving access to licences, financing and mining equipment.
The digital system is expected to enhance transparency and ensure that mineral resources are actively explored and developed in line with national economic priorities.
