The government has launched a new mining programme that will use geological surveys and modern technology to help young people, women and people with disabilities secure viable mining opportunities and reduce reliance on trial-and-error prospecting.
Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde launched the Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow (MBT) programme, commonly known as Kesho Iliyo Njema, in Nyamongo, Tarime District, Mara Region, on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The programme is expected to support small-scale miners with geological information that can help them identify areas with mineral potential before investing in extraction activities.
The launch coincided with the commencement of an aerial mineral exploration exercise by Barrick Gold Corporation, which will cover areas set aside for small-scale miners.
Mr Mavunde said the government wanted to shift small-scale mining from a largely speculative activity to one based on scientific information, technology and proper geological data.
“The aim is to change the way people mine by ensuring they have the right information, technology and knowledge before investing in mining,” he said.
He said the helicopter survey could cover an area of about 6,000 square kilometres within two weeks, creating a geological information base that could help identify areas with mineral potential.
The minister directed the Mining Commissioner, working with the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) and the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), to ensure drilling equipment is brought to Nyamongo immediately after the aerial survey is completed.
The move is intended to take the exploration process to the next stage and establish the actual mineral potential of identified areas.
Mr Mavunde also linked the programme to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive that 10 percent of revenue collected from the mining sector be allocated to detailed mineral exploration.
He said increasing geological knowledge of the country’s mineral deposits would help open more areas for mining and provide opportunities for Tanzanians to participate in the sector.
For young people and women, the minister said the government would work to ensure specific mining areas are allocated to them and that licences are processed efficiently.
He said Resident Mining Officers would be assessed on their ability to facilitate access to mining opportunities, particularly for groups targeted by the MBT programme.
“We want to see new opportunities for licences being created for young people every day through this programme,” he said.
Mr Mavunde also urged youth leaders in the mining sector to resolve their differences and work together, warning that internal divisions should not derail efforts to expand opportunities for young miners.
Mara Regional Commissioner Brigadier General Evans Mtambi said the programme could help address one of the major problems facing small-scale miners: inadequate geological information.
He said miners often spend significant amounts of money digging without knowing the location, quantity or quality of mineral deposits.
“With reliable information and technology, our young people can mine scientifically instead of relying on guesswork. This can reduce unnecessary costs and losses, increase productivity and improve returns from their efforts,” he said.
Barrick Gold Tanzania Country Manager Dr Melkiory Ngido said the company had supported the initiative by returning a licence covering an area that it had previously explored after determining that it could provide opportunities for small-scale miners.
He said the decision was aimed at allowing the area to become a source of employment, income and economic opportunities for Tanzanians involved in small-scale mining.
“We saw it as important that the area should not remain under our ownership when it could provide employment, income and economic opportunities for Tanzanians engaged in small-scale mining,” Dr Ngido said.
He said Barrick’s decision reflected its intention to work with the government to ensure mineral resources contribute to communities living around mining areas.
Federation of Miners Associations of Tanzania (FEMATA) Vice-President Victor Tesha welcomed the programme, saying small-scale miners had high expectations that it would help address longstanding challenges in the sector.
He said miners had confidence that improved access to geological information, mining areas and licences would help transform their businesses and improve the livelihoods of families dependent on mining.
The MBT programme now enters its implementation phase, with the results of the aerial survey expected to guide further exploration and drilling and, potentially, identify new areas that can be allocated to small-scale miners.