Tanzania has been urged to strengthen conservation efforts for the rare mineral Yoderite, first discovered in the country more than six decades ago, to safeguard its scientific, educational and geological heritage value for future generations.
The call was made on June 30, 2026, by the Geology Manager at the Tanzania Geological Survey (GST), Solomon Maswi, during a media tour of Mautia Hill in Kongwa District, Dodoma Region—the site where the mineral was first identified globally in 1959.
Mr Maswi said preserving the rare mineral would position Tanzania as a leading international destination for geological research while promoting geotourism centred on the country's unique natural heritage.
"Yoderite is among the rare minerals that have placed Tanzania on the global geological map because it was first discovered at Mautia Hill. Protecting this site is important not only for the country but also for the global scientific community," he said.
He explained that the mineral plays a critical role in scientific research by helping geologists understand how rocks are formed under extreme pressure and high-temperature conditions deep within the Earth's crust.
According to Mr Maswi, Yoderite is also an important resource for geology education, academic research and the preservation of the world's geological heritage.
Unlike commercially valuable minerals extracted for industrial use, Yoderite is exceptionally rare and occurs in only a handful of locations worldwide.
As a result, it is not mined for trade or manufacturing but is instead preserved as a significant geological specimen that attracts researchers, students, scientists and tourists from both Tanzania and abroad.
He noted that conserving the mineral deposits would enhance Tanzania's reputation as a global centre for geological studies and create opportunities to expand geotourism, an emerging niche within the tourism sector.
Mr Maswi further encouraged universities, geological institutions and mining training colleges to utilise the Mautia Hill site for practical field studies and long-term geological research.
Yoderite was first discovered in 1959 in the Mautia Hills of Kongwa District, marking Tanzania as the birthplace of one of the world's rarest known minerals.
Further geological investigations conducted about 35 years later led to the discovery of the same mineral in Zimbabwe, making it one of only a few known occurrences worldwide.
The mineral was named Yoderite in honour of renowned American geologist Hatten Yoder Jr., recognising his significant contributions to the study of rocks, minerals and high-pressure geological processes.
Experts believe that preserving the Mautia Hill geological site could not only protect an irreplaceable scientific resource but also strengthen Tanzania's standing as a destination for world-class geological research, education and sustainable geotourism.
