The government is set to launch a special inspection of technical assistance agreements in the mining sector as part of efforts to protect licence holders from arrangements that could undermine their earnings and rights.
The operation will examine whether the agreements are being implemented in line with the law and whether they are delivering their intended purpose of improving production, productivity and efficiency in mining operations.
Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde announced the move while briefing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals on developments in the mining sector, particularly measures to promote mineral value addition within Tanzania.
Mr Mavunde directed Resident Mining Officers (RMOs) to conduct regular inspections at mining sites to monitor the implementation of technical assistance agreements and identify potential challenges before they escalate.
The minister said the government would take action against parties found to be abusing such agreements to exploit mining licence holders.
“Technical assistance agreements should increase production, productivity and efficiency in mining operations, rather than becoming a source of disputes or reducing the benefits that should accrue to licence holders,” Mr Mavunde said.
The government’s intervention comes amid efforts to strengthen oversight of contractual arrangements in the mining industry and ensure that Tanzanians and licensed operators derive greater economic benefits from the country’s mineral resources.
Mr Mavunde said Tanzania produces about 65 tonnes of gold annually, with small-scale miners accounting for approximately 40 per cent of total production.
He said the government would continue improving the operating environment for small-scale miners to raise output and secure a greater share of benefits across the gold value chain.
The growing contribution of small-scale miners highlights their increasing importance to the mining economy and the need for continued support in areas such as technology, technical expertise and access to efficient processing facilities.
The minister also reported progress in domestic mineral value addition, saying local refineries had processed 36,776.37 kilogrammes of raw gold by June 2026.
The increased refining capacity is part of the government’s broader strategy to ensure more minerals are processed within the country before being traded in local and international markets.
The policy is intended to create more value within Tanzania, strengthen the mineral processing industry and increase economic opportunities linked to the country’s natural resources.
Mr Mavunde said the government was also investing in geological research, technical services and modern laboratory infrastructure to improve the quality and reliability of information used in the mining sector.
He said 10 per cent of mining sector revenue is allocated to research, while additional investment is being directed towards laboratories and other technical infrastructure.
The investments are expected to improve geological data and the accuracy of mineral sample testing, both of which are critical in determining mineral quality, value and investment potential.
However, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals Chairperson Subira Mgalu urged the government to strengthen oversight of the growing number of laboratories testing mineral samples.
Ms Mgalu said tighter supervision was necessary to ensure that mining stakeholders receive reliable and accurate laboratory results, given the direct impact such findings can have on mineral valuation and transactions.
The government’s planned inspection, together with stronger oversight of laboratories and continued investment in local refining, signals a broader push to improve accountability and ensure that Tanzania captures greater value from its mineral wealth.
