The government is moving to regulate the geology profession and tighten the quality of geological information used in mineral exploration and investment, with a proposed law set to establish a professional board for the sector.
The Ministry of Minerals has submitted the proposed Geologists Management Bill to the Cabinet Secretariat, Deputy Minister for Minerals Dr Steven Kiruswa said yesterday, September 16, 2026.
If approved, the law will establish a Geologists Board responsible for regulating and coordinating the profession, setting professional standards and ensuring people undertaking geoscientific work have the required qualifications and are accountable for their findings.
The move is aimed partly at addressing cases where inaccurate geological information is provided by unqualified or dishonest individuals, potentially exposing investors and other mining stakeholders to financial losses.
Dr Kiruswa made the remarks in Mwanza while closing the annual general meeting of the Tanzania Geological Society (TGS).
“It is important to have a body that will oversee this profession to ensure that geological information resulting from research conducted in the country is reliable and provided by qualified, professional and accountable experts,” he said.
The government has also decided to allocate 10 percent of non-tax revenue collected from the mining sector to mineral research, a move expected to provide about Sh140 billion for geological studies.
Dr Kiruswa said the funds would enable the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) to expand geoscientific research and generate more accurate information on the country's mineral resources.
Such information is important for identifying mineral deposits and giving investors a clearer picture of exploration opportunities before committing capital, he said.
The allocation could also strengthen the government's ability to map the country's mineral potential and reduce reliance on incomplete or unreliable information when making decisions on exploration and mining.
The deputy minister said the Ministry of Minerals would continue working with TGS to strengthen the profession and increase the participation of Tanzanian geologists in research and other geoscientific activities.
Dr Kiruswa said the measures were part of the ministry's priorities under Tanzania Development Vision 2050 and the Mineral Policy.
These include expanding geological research and access to reliable geological information, increasing mineral beneficiation, linking mining with other areas of the economy, formalising and improving small-scale mining, and strengthening environmental management and climate change responses.
The government has increasingly placed emphasis on obtaining better geological information as it seeks to attract investment and increase the economic benefits derived from Tanzania's mineral resources.
TGS president Prof Alisante Mshiu said the society's annual meeting, which started on September 14, provided a platform for professionals to exchange knowledge and experience on how geoscience can address development challenges.
The meeting was held under the theme “Application of Geoscientific Solutions for Industrial Growth, Energy Security, Towards Clean Energy Use and Resilient Development in Tanzania.”
Prof Mshiu said greater use of geoscientific knowledge could help Tanzania address challenges in industrialisation and energy security while improving the country's ability to benefit from its natural resources.
He said the meeting also sought to promote the application of geology beyond mineral exploration, including in areas that support economic growth and resilient development.