Mtwara Region is steadily positioning itself as one of Tanzania’s leading mining investment destinations, supported by rich deposits of industrial minerals, gemstones and strategic resources, while government revenue from the sector has increased nearly four times in the past three years.
Officials attribute the growth to improved regulatory oversight, rising investor confidence, and the expansion of industrial minerals such as limestone, which continues to play a central role in cement production and national infrastructure development.
According to the Resident Mining Officer for Mtwara Region, Winnifrida Mrema, the region is widely recognised for its abundant limestone reserves, a key raw material used in cement manufacturing and supplying major industrial operations, including Dangote Cement.
She said this resource base has strengthened Mtwara’s role in supporting industrial growth and the national construction sector.
Mrema added that beyond limestone, Mtwara is rich in a variety of industrial and strategic minerals, including iron ore, copper, graphite, mica and heavy mineral sands.
She noted that heavy mineral sands are increasingly in global demand due to their use in advanced manufacturing, including components for electric vehicles and other high-tech industries.
She further said the mining sector’s growth is closely linked to the strategic importance of Mtwara Port, which continues to serve as a key export gateway for minerals and industrial goods.
The port facilitates the export of cement products to Zanzibar and the Comoros Islands, as well as coal shipments from Ruvuma and Njombe regions to international markets such as China, India and Dubai.
“This improved connectivity has made Mtwara a stronger industrial and trade corridor, reducing transport costs and attracting more investment in mining and related industries,” Mrema said.
She said the region also offers significant investment opportunities in gold, copper and gemstones, particularly green garnet, which is among the high-value gemstones found in southern Tanzania.
She encouraged both local and foreign investors to take advantage of these opportunities to expand exploration, mining and value addition activities.
The government, she added, continues to promote partnerships between large-scale investors and artisanal and small-scale miners.
The aim is to enhance access to capital, technical skills and modern mining equipment, while improving safety, productivity and market access for small miners.
Mrema noted that these interventions are already producing positive results, with small-scale miners benefiting from improved licensing systems, training programmes and structured support from the government.
On revenue performance, she said mining sector collections in Mtwara have recorded a significant increase, rising from TSh 1.85 billion in the 2021/22 financial year to TSh 5.95 billion in 2023/24, and further increasing to TSh 7.55 billion in 2024/25.
She said the steady growth reflects increased production, improved compliance among operators, and strengthened monitoring and enforcement systems by government institutions. This, she noted, demonstrates the sector’s growing contribution to Tanzania’s economic development.
Mining Engineer Nurah Juma from the Office of the Resident Mining Officer in Mtwara said construction minerals such as stones and gravel, particularly those from Chipite village in Masasi District, remain essential for infrastructure development in the southern zone.
She said the materials are widely used in road construction, building works, port expansion projects at Mtwara Port, and airport infrastructure development, as well as in ongoing projects such as the construction of the new Mgao Island Port.
According to her, local availability of quality construction materials has reduced project costs, improved efficiency in infrastructure development, and strengthened local supply chains, ensuring surrounding communities benefit directly from mining activities.
She added that demand for construction materials is expected to grow further as both government and private sector investments expand across transport, energy and urban development projects in Mtwara and neighbouring Lindi Region.
Overall, Mtwara’s mining sector is entering a new phase of transformation, shifting from basic extraction towards value addition, stronger regulation and deeper integration into national and export markets.
With rising investment interest, improved infrastructure and steadily increasing government revenue, the region is expected to play a more strategic role in Tanzania’s mining economy and industrial growth in the coming years.
