The establishment of diamond and gold trading markets in Shinyanga Region has significantly boosted mineral production, trade, and government revenue, while improving earnings and opportunities for small-scale miners and traders across the region.
The reforms, which aim to formalise mineral trading and bring services closer to miners, have increased transparency, reduced delays, and strengthened efficiency in the mineral value chain.
Speaking at the Office of the Resident Mining Officer in Shinyanga, Diamond Mineral Assayer, Shikimayi Muyinza, said diamond production has increased significantly following the opening of new mining areas and the introduction of official mineral markets.
He said production previously depended mainly on the Maganzo area near Mwadui, but new mining sites such as Ng’wapangabule, which became active last year, have attracted more small-scale miners and boosted output.
Muyinza said the impact is already visible in monthly production figures, noting that in April 2026 alone, 6,177 carats of diamonds were purchased through official markets.
He said this is a major improvement compared to previous years when monthly production rarely exceeded 1,000 carats.
“We are now recording between 3,000 and 6,000 carats per month due to increased mining activities and improved market systems,” he said.
He explained that the mineral markets have simplified the entire process of selling minerals by ensuring miners are registered, minerals are weighed and evaluated transparently, and sellers receive professional guidance before completing transactions.
Muyinza added that diamond pricing depends on four key factors: size, shape, colour, and internal quality, meaning every stone has a unique value.
Mining Engineer and Shinyanga Regional Mineral Markets Supervisor, Gerald Kabeho, said the establishment of mineral markets has removed unnecessary bureaucracy and improved access to services for miners.
He said the system has made trading faster, more transparent, and more organised, while also strengthening government monitoring of mineral production and sales.
A local trader, Samweli Sita, Director of Mwabu General Trading, said the markets have helped solve long-standing challenges by allowing buyers and sellers to meet directly in one official trading environment.
He said this has reduced exploitation by middlemen and improved fairness in pricing, while also increasing trust among stakeholders in the sector.
Sita commended the Government of Tanzania for establishing mineral markets across the country, saying the initiative has strengthened legal mining operations and expanded economic opportunities for both small and large-scale miners.
He also praised the leadership of Samia Suluhu Hassan for reforms in the mining sector, saying they have played a key role in improving transparency, increasing production, and boosting national revenue.
Official statistics show that the improvements have also led to higher government revenue. Between July and April of the 2025/2026 financial year, Shinyanga Region collected TZS 35.2 billion, exceeding its target of TZS 32 billion, representing 110 percent performance.
Authorities say this achievement reflects increased mineral production, stronger compliance, and the growing effectiveness of official mineral markets in the region.
The continued growth is expected to further strengthen livelihoods for miners and traders while increasing the mining sector’s contribution to Tanzania’s economic development.
