The government has directed mining officials across the country to strengthen oversight of mineral resources, accelerate the resolution of mining disputes and ensure licences are actively developed, as part of broader efforts to increase the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Speaking during a meeting of the Mining Commission’s management in Morogoro, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Eng. Yahya Samamba, said effective management of mineral licences and greater participation of Tanzanians in mineral value-chain activities remain critical to sustaining the sector’s growth.
His remarks come as the Mining Commission reported strong revenue performance, collecting Sh1.36 trillion between July 2025 and June 2026, exceeding its annual target by reaching 113.34 percent of the planned collections.
“The mining sector continues to play an important role in the economy. We must ensure that licences are properly utilised, disputes are resolved on time and Tanzanians benefit more from opportunities along the mineral value chain,” Eng. Samamba said.
He warned that the government would continue to revoke licences that remain undeveloped and reallocate them to investors capable of putting them into productive use.
The Permanent Secretary also called on Resident Mines Officers to address disputes at the regional level through existing legal and regulatory frameworks, rather than allowing conflicts to escalate to higher authorities.
The meeting brought together senior officials from institutions under the Ministry of Minerals, including Mining Commissioner Dr Abdulrahman Mwanga, Mining Commission Chairperson Dr Janet Lekashingo, Executive Secretary Eng. Ramadhani Lwamo, directors, managers and Resident Mines Officers from across the country.
Eng. Samamba challenged the Commission to maintain its strong performance and pursue new strategies aimed at surpassing its revenue target of Sh1.4 trillion in the 2026/27 financial year.
Beyond revenue collection, he stressed the need to improve health, safety and environmental standards in mining areas, particularly among small-scale miners who account for a significant share of the sector’s output.
He said Resident Mines Officers should intensify inspections and continue educating miners on safe and environmentally responsible mining practices.
The government is also stepping up efforts to curb mineral smuggling through tighter supervision of the entire mineral value chain, from production and trading to transportation and export.
According to Eng. Samamba, ongoing reforms include the expansion of mineral markets and buying centres, the introduction of indicative prices aligned with international markets and the removal of selected taxes and levies that have hindered legitimate mineral trade.
He noted that small-scale miners contribute about 40 percent of the sector’s revenue, making them a key stakeholder in efforts to strengthen compliance and increase production.
In a move aimed at unlocking new investment opportunities, the government has approved the allocation of 10 percent of mining-sector revenue to finance detailed geological exploration and research. Officials believe the funding will help identify new mineral deposits and attract additional investors to the industry.
“As custodians of the country’s mineral resources, mining officials must continue to serve with patriotism, accountability and innovation to ensure citizens receive maximum benefits from the sector,” Eng. Samamba said.
Mining Commissioner Dr Abdulrahman Mwanga praised the Permanent Secretary for promoting closer cooperation among institutions under the Ministry of Minerals, describing the approach as instrumental in maintaining stability and supporting the sector’s continued growth.
Meanwhile, Mining Commission Chairperson Dr Janet Lekashingo said improvements in the working environment, including the provision of vehicles and modern mineral-testing equipment, had strengthened the Commission’s ability to execute its mandate.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to implementing government directives and ensuring the mining sector delivers greater value to the economy and Tanzanians at large.
