Mineral traders and small-scale miners will have more time to conduct business after the Government directed the Mining Commission to extend operating hours at mineral markets to 9pm.
The directive by Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde is aimed at improving access to mineral trading services and giving dealers, miners and other stakeholders greater flexibility to complete legitimate transactions.
Mr Mavunde issued the directive on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, while responding to questions from members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals in Dodoma.
He said the extended operating hours were part of broader efforts to improve efficiency in the mineral trading system while strengthening government oversight of the sector.
The move comes as the Government pushes to formalise mineral trading, curb smuggling and ensure that more value generated from Tanzania's natural resources remains within the country.
Mr Mavunde said the Government was also working to strengthen the Tanzanite business in Mirerani, with plans to review the existing trading system to create better conditions for the gemstone's growth.
“We will review the Tanzanite trading system to ensure it supports the growth of the business,” Mr Mavunde said.
Tanzanite is found only in Tanzania and remains one of the country's most distinctive mineral resources, making the development of a stronger domestic trading and value-addition system important for increasing its contribution to the economy.
The minister also warned investors holding large mining areas without developing them that the Government would take action in accordance with the law.
He said licences could be cancelled where holders fail to develop their allocated areas as required, signalling continued efforts to prevent mineral-rich land from being held without productive investment.
Mr Mavunde said the Government was working with the Ministry of Energy to improve electricity supply to mining areas, while strategic infrastructure was being incorporated into development plans.
He said the Government was also seeking to widen Tanzanian participation in the mining economy through the MBT programme, which targets young people, women and people with special needs.
The Government has also signed 14 memoranda of understanding with investors whose mining projects have yet to enter production.
At the same time, authorities are working to create conditions that will enable financial institutions to extend credit to eligible small-scale miners, who often face difficulties accessing formal financing.
The scale of Tanzania's mineral industry was highlighted by Mining Commissioner Dr Abdulrahman Mwanga, who said the sector continued to play an important role in the implementation of the National Development Vision 2050.
Gold remained the leading mineral during the 2025/26 financial year, with production reaching 67.8 tonnes valued at TZS 18.4 trillion.
Dr Mwanga said 28,701 kilogrammes of gold were sold through five gold refineries operating in Tanzania.
The Bank of Tanzania purchased 21,710 kilogrammes, equivalent to 75.64 per cent of the gold sold through the refineries.
The figures point to the growing role of formal mineral trading and local refining in strengthening government oversight and ensuring more mineral transactions are captured within the formal economy.
Despite the progress, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals has called for further measures to make the sector more affordable for small-scale miners.
Committee chairperson Subira Mgalu said the Government should strengthen the fight against mineral smuggling while reviewing charges imposed across the mineral trading chain.
She said some charges had become a heavy burden for small-scale miners and should be reviewed to ensure they do not undermine the participation of Tanzanians in the sector.
The call comes as the Government seeks to increase formalisation while ensuring that small-scale miners, who account for a significant share of mineral production, can operate profitably within the legal framework.
Deputy Minister for Minerals Dr Steven Kiruswa said the Government would also continue monitoring the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility programmes to ensure communities living around mining areas benefit from mining activities.
The Government's latest measures reflect a broader push to expand mineral production and investment while improving regulation, increasing local participation and ensuring communities receive greater economic benefits from Tanzania's mineral wealth.
