Tanzania has launched a competitive tender for four gold-rich exploration blocks covering more than 43 square kilometres in Geita and Shinyanga regions, seeking financially strong and technically experienced local investors capable of rapidly advancing the projects from exploration to commercial production.
The Ministry of Minerals announced on Friday that the blocks, previously held under Retention Licences (RL), will be offered through a competitive bidding process aimed at accelerating mineral development while ensuring that strategic resources are developed without prolonged inactivity.
The tender, which is being managed by the Mining Commission, requires interested companies incorporated in Tanzania to submit their bids by 3:30pm on July 9, 2026, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of Sh5 million.
Unlike conventional prospecting licences, the licences issued under this tender will be valid for only one year and will not be renewable, signalling the government's determination to ensure exploration progresses quickly into mine development.
Companies awarded the licences must complete exploration work and submit applications for Mining Licences within the one-year period. Failure to meet the deadline will result in the automatic cancellation of the prospecting licence.
The four gold exploration blocks comprise the former RL 0006/2009 covering 21.2653 square kilometres in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region; RL 0007/2012 covering 18.24 square kilometres in Geita District; and two smaller blocks—RL 0014/2014 and RL 0015/2014—covering 2.94 square kilometres and 0.908 square kilometres, respectively, in Mbogwe District, Geita Region.
Together, the four areas cover 43.3533 square kilometres of highly prospective gold-bearing ground.
The government has also set an ambitious development timetable designed to move projects into production within a relatively short period.
Successful bidders will be required to commence exploration activities within three months of receiving their Prospecting Licence. After completing the mandatory one-year exploration programme, investors must apply for a Mining Licence before the licence expires. Once a Mining Licence is granted, commercial mining operations must begin within six months.
The accelerated timeline reflects the government's policy of ensuring that mineral rights are allocated to investors capable of transforming exploration assets into producing mines that contribute to employment, exports and government revenue.
To qualify, bidders must demonstrate substantial financial capacity, including proof of access to at least $5 million in investment capital through bank guarantees or other verifiable funding sources.
Applicants are also required to submit audited financial statements for the past three years, provide details of funding sources including equity, loans or capital market financing and disclose their debt obligations and overall financial position.
According to the tender requirements, preference will be given to companies with stronger equity positions and lower debt-to-equity ratios, indicating greater financial resilience and investment capability.
The Mining Commission will further assess bidders based on their technical competence. Eligible companies must have at least five years' experience in exploration and mining operations at Mining Licence level and demonstrate ownership of, or access to, modern exploration and mining equipment.
Each bidder must also submit a detailed one-year exploration programme outlining the proposed work to be undertaken.
Beyond financial and technical capability, the government has attached significant importance to legal compliance and corporate governance.
Applicants must submit certified incorporation documents, company constitutions, lists of directors and shareholders, valid tax clearance certificates and evidence of a registered business address in Tanzania.
They must also sign an Integrity Pledge and demonstrate that neither the company nor its directors have previously defaulted on mineral rights obligations in the country.
Local content and environmental stewardship also feature prominently in the evaluation criteria.
Winning companies will be expected to implement succession plans that facilitate the transfer of technical skills including geology, mining engineering, mineral economics and occupational safety to Tanzanian professionals.
They will also be required to prioritise procurement of locally available goods and services in line with the Mining (Local Content) Regulations, 2018, while adhering to environmental protection standards throughout exploration and subsequent mining operations.
The latest tender forms part of Tanzania's continuing efforts to maximise the value of its mineral resources by allocating strategic exploration areas to investors with the financial strength, technical expertise and operational capacity to develop viable mining projects within clearly defined timelines.
