Small-scale miners in Morogoro region are undergoing specialised training aimed at improving safety, efficiency and technical capacity, as the government steps up efforts to formalise and strengthen the development minerals sub-sector.
The programme is being implemented by the Mining Commission in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Foundation for Development of Small-Scale Mining (FADev), targeting miners engaged in construction materials such as aggregates and gravel.
The initiative forms part of a national strategy to support small-scale miners, who play a key role in supplying materials for infrastructure and urban development but often face challenges related to limited technical knowledge and unsafe working conditions.
Speaking during the training sessions in Morogoro, FADev programme officer Rehema Mkuli said the programme is designed to build practical skills among miners and promote safer, more productive extraction methods.
She said participants are being trained in basic geological mapping and safe pit design, enabling them to better understand mineral deposits and plan excavation activities more effectively.
“The goal is to improve how miners identify and extract resources while reducing risks and unnecessary losses,” she said.
Mkuli added that the training also aims to discourage reliance on trial-and-error methods, which can lead to inefficiencies and environmental damage.
A geologist from the regional mining office, Asifiwe Waksoni Ngala, said miners are also being introduced to techniques for identifying different rock types and understanding the minerals they contain.
He said the knowledge will help miners make informed decisions, reduce guesswork and increase productivity in their operations.
“Better understanding of geology allows miners to locate resources more accurately and avoid unnecessary excavation,” he said.
The training in Morogoro is part of a wider programme covering four regions Singida Region, Dodoma Region, Morogoro Region and Tanga Region identified under a study on development minerals.
Officials say the initiative is expected to improve working conditions, increase output quality and enhance compliance with mining regulations, while supporting livelihoods in communities that depend on small-scale mining.
As demand for construction materials continues to rise, authorities see the training as a key step in transforming informal mining activities into more structured and sustainable operations at the local level.
