GEITA: Demand for locally assembled trucks and mining equipment is gaining momentum as miners increasingly turn to domestic suppliers, with GF Trucks reporting a surge in orders during the ongoing Mining Technology and Investment Exhibition in Geita.
The company said the response from miners at the ninth edition of the exhibition reflects growing demand for equipment locally, while also creating opportunities for businesses participating in the mining supply chain.
On Friday, Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde handed over a truck to miner Jofrey Mwaselela, who purchased the vehicle through GF Trucks at the exhibition being held at the Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan grounds in Geita Municipality.
Mr Mwaselela said the exhibition had helped small-scale miners overcome one of the challenges they previously faced—accessing machinery and other equipment needed for their operations.
He said miners previously had to travel to industrial centres to identify and purchase equipment, increasing the time and costs involved in sourcing machinery.
The exhibition, he said, had brought suppliers directly to mining areas, giving operators an opportunity to compare products, engage suppliers and make purchases.
“Our partnership between AMOTEC and GF Trucks has helped us access the equipment and services we need for our mining activities,” Mr Mwaselela said.
GF Trucks brand and marketing manager Smart Deus said the company had received strong interest from miners, with some making purchases while others were in discussions to acquire trucks and other equipment.
“Through this exhibition, we have secured a significant volume of sales. On Saturday, October 3, 2026, we will hand over vehicles to one of our major customers who has purchased more than 10 trucks,” Mr Deus said.
The orders underline the growing market for heavy-duty vehicles among miners, particularly as the sector expands and operators seek equipment capable of supporting extraction and transportation activities.
Mr Deus said the company’s continued participation in the mining exhibition was driven by the demand it had seen from miners over the past nine editions.
He said GF Trucks was also supporting Tanzania’s local-content agenda through its vehicle assembly plant, which is intended to increase the use of locally available products and services.
“GF Trucks has been contributing to the implementation of the local-content policy through its vehicle assembly plant, which aims to increase the use of products and services available in the country,” he said.
According to Mr Deus, expanding local assembly could help meet domestic demand while increasing opportunities for Tanzanian businesses to participate in the mining supply chain.
The company has also partnered with financial institutions at the exhibition to help prospective buyers access financing for vehicle and equipment purchases.
Mr Deus said access to financing was an important part of supporting miners who wanted to acquire machinery but might not have sufficient funds to make outright purchases.
The exhibition has therefore become not only a platform for showcasing mining technologies but also a marketplace linking miners with equipment suppliers, financiers and other service providers.
For small-scale miners such as Mr Mwaselela, the availability of equipment closer to mining areas could reduce the time and logistical costs associated with sourcing machinery, while for local suppliers, increased demand offers an opportunity to expand their presence in the mining value chain.
The ninth Mining Technology and Investment Exhibition is bringing together miners, equipment manufacturers, financial institutions and other stakeholders to showcase technologies and services supporting Tanzania’s mining industry.