Tanzania has cancelled 40 mineral prospecting licences covering more than 188,000 hectares, in a sweeping move to tighten control of the mining sector and unlock idle resources for productive use.
The Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, said the decision followed a detailed review that found widespread non-compliance among licence holders, many of whom had failed to invest or develop their concessions despite being issued with default notices.
The reclaimed areas will now be returned to the State and prepared for reallocation to small-scale miners, credible investors, and special groups including women, youth and people with disabilities under the government’s “Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow (MBT)” initiative.
Mr Mavunde said the cancellations form part of broader efforts to enforce discipline in the sector and ensure that mineral resources contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
A ministry assessment found that several licence holders were holding large tracts of land without undertaking exploration activities, failing to pay required fees, and ignoring obligations related to local content and community development.
“This is about accountability. We cannot allow strategic resources to remain idle while the economy needs investment and jobs,” he said.
Authorities say licence hoarding has also fuelled disputes and contributed to the rise of illegal mining, commonly seen during gold rush incidents in different parts of the country.
The minister noted that the revoked licences cover an estimated 900 square kilometres, highlighting the scale of underutilised land now being freed up.
At the same time, the government has issued compliance notices to 43 other licence holders—40 in prospecting and three in medium-scale mining—giving them 30 days to correct identified violations or risk losing their licences.
Mr Mavunde warned that failure to act within the deadline would trigger similar action, with the areas reassigned to investors capable of developing them.
He also issued a strong warning against the growing trend of people invading legally licensed mining areas following reports of mineral discoveries, stressing that such actions are illegal and dangerous.
Unregulated mining activities, he said, have led to conflicts between miners and licence holders, environmental damage, and increased health risks in overcrowded sites.
The government has since stepped up measures to restore order, including strengthening security, preventing ownership disputes, safeguarding the environment, and addressing public health concerns in mining zones.
Mr Mavunde cautioned small-scale miners against encroaching on licensed land, saying strict legal action would be taken against offenders.
“Respect for the law is not optional. Anyone who invades a licensed area will face serious consequences,” he said.
The move signals a tougher stance by the government on underperforming investors, while opening space for more inclusive and productive participation in Tanzania’s mining sector.
