Deputy Minister for Minerals Steven Kiruswa has moved to resolve a dispute involving small-scale miners in Mwanza, saying poor communication and lack of accurate information among partners can fuel unnecessary conflicts and undermine mining activities.
Dr Kiruswa said yesterday, September 15, 2026, that the dispute largely stemmed from a lack of proper communication between partners who jointly own 33 mining licences.
He was speaking in Mwanza while chairing a meeting convened to resolve the dispute involving the small-scale miners.
According to Dr Kiruswa, one side alleged that some partners were conducting mining activities without involving them or giving them their rightful share of the proceeds, while the other side maintained that mining production had not yet started on the licences in question.
After hearing both sides, Dr Kiruswa directed the licence holders to establish a clear and joint communication system and ensure that every partner understands the boundaries and areas covered by the licences they jointly own.
He also urged small-scale miners to build a culture of trust, cooperation and mutual respect, warning that disagreements among partners could delay development and reduce the benefits that should be derived from mineral resources.
The Deputy Minister also warned mining licence holders to develop the areas allocated to them, saying the Government would take action against licences that remained undeveloped in breach of their conditions.
He said licences found not to be used for mining activities in accordance with established procedures would be revoked and the areas made available to miners with the capacity and willingness to develop them.
Dr Kiruswa said the Government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, had continued creating a favourable environment for small-scale miners to participate fully in the mining sector and benefit from the country's mineral resources.
During his visit, Dr Kiruswa also inspected the Mwanza Regional Mineral Market, where he assessed how mineral trading activities are conducted.
He stressed the importance of mineral markets in providing miners with access to formal markets and increasing the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy.