Efforts to formalize Tanzania’s mineral sector gathered momentum on Friday as the government urged Chief Mine Inspectors and Mine Managers to take a leading role in promoting lawful and transparent mineral trade.
Speaking during a training session in Kahama District on April 24, 2026, Engineer Erasmina Massawe from the Mining Commission said the country’s mining leadership must go beyond routine supervision and actively champion compliance with mining laws and regulations.
The session brought together participants from key small-scale mining areas of Kahama, Mbogwe and Shinyanga, focusing on improving technical skills, strengthening mine management, and reinforcing adherence to safety and environmental standards.
Massawe stressed that inspectors and managers occupy a critical position in ensuring that mineral resources are extracted and traded responsibly.
She noted that by acting as ambassadors of legal trade, they can help curb smuggling and enhance government revenue collection.
She said ongoing reforms in the sector including improved mineral trading systems, the establishment of mineral markets and buying centres, and the deployment of resident mining officers are already yielding results.
The construction of the Mirerani wall, she added, has played a significant role in controlling the illegal export of tanzanite.
To further tighten oversight, the government has stationed inspectors at airports, ports and border points, while also strengthening procedures for issuing mineral export permits and enforcing tax compliance, including VAT-related measures in the sector.
On economic participation, Massawe noted that recent improvements in local content regulations have opened more doors for Tanzanians to engage in the mining value chain.
Opportunities now range from catering and security services to equipment supply, legal support, construction and insurance.
She encouraged local entrepreneurs to tap into these opportunities, describing the mining sector as a growing avenue for income generation and job creation.
Stakeholders were also advised to make use of the Mining Commission’s modern laboratory in Dar es Salaam to verify mineral quality and value, a move expected to promote trust and fairness in transactions.
The training forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen oversight of small-scale mining and ensure that the country’s mineral wealth delivers meaningful and inclusive economic benefits.
