By Our Reporter
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals has called for intensified mineral exploration across the country to unlock new investment opportunities, expand mining operations and create more jobs, particularly for small-scale miners seeking to graduate into medium and large-scale operations.
The call was made during the committee's visit to the Mirerani mining area in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region, where members commended the Ministry of Minerals for its management and supervision of mining activities within the perimeter wall.
Committee Chairperson Subira Mgalu said on October 24, 2026, that communities around Mirerani were benefiting from the mineral value chain through mining, processing, trading and the provision of services to industry players.
However, she said expanding mineral exploration beyond established mining areas was essential to identifying new deposits, attracting investors and giving more Tanzanians opportunities to participate in the sector.
She urged the Ministry of Minerals, through the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), to intensify geological surveys in mineral-rich areas and publicise the findings to attract investment.
Ms Mgalu said improved access to geological information would help small-scale miners make informed investment decisions, expand production and eventually transition into larger mining operations.
"We want to see future billionaires emerging from the mining sector, particularly among small-scale miners who will grow into medium and large-scale operators, creating more jobs and increasing the sector's contribution to economic growth," she said.
During the visit, the committee inspected operations at Franone Mining and Gem Co Ltd and Chusa Mining Co Ltd, as well as the Tanzanite Trading Centre, to assess mining, mineral trading and value addition activities and the effectiveness of measures to safeguard the country's mineral resources.
Deputy Minister for Minerals Dr Steven Kiruswa said the government had allocated funds for mineral exploration, a move expected to provide small-scale miners with more reliable geological information and attract investors from within and outside the country.
Meanwhile, mining stakeholders in Mirerani acknowledged government efforts to address challenges facing the sector but called for further improvements in essential infrastructure to support production.
Manyara Regional Miners Association's Mirerani Branch Chairperson, Samwel Rugemalila, thanked the government for measures taken to improve the mining environment.
However, he urged authorities to improve access to electricity and water, saying reliable supplies were essential for efficient mining operations and increased production.
Chairperson of Mineral Traders within the Mirerani perimeter wall, Magreth Nelson, also commended the government for reinstating mineral auctions, saying the arrangement had enabled traders to sell their gemstones transparently and benefit from competitive prices.
Providing production statistics, Mirerani Resident Mines Officer George Kaseza said the area produced 274,634.32 grammes of Tanzanite worth TZS3.23 billion during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, covering July to September 2026.
He said production of Tanzanite beads reached 8,622,049.36 grammes, valued at TZS95.83 million, while Tanzanite Clive production amounted to 20,562.35 grammes, worth TZS16.73 million.
Mr Kaseza said the government had continued strengthening inspection and security measures to prevent Tanzanite smuggling.
These measures include the introduction of Tanzanite Certificates of Origin in 2010, completion of the Mirerani perimeter wall in April 2018 and establishment of the Mirerani Mineral Market in 2021.
He said the mining area was also equipped with 310 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and 573 security lights to improve surveillance.
In 2026, the government further ordered 12 camera-equipped helmets for mineral controllers working underground. The devices record mining activities from the extraction stage until minerals are sealed with government security seals and brought to the surface.
According to Mr Kaseza, the technology is intended to improve transparency, strengthen monitoring and prevent mineral smuggling.
On mineral trading, he said auctions conducted during the 2025/26 financial year enabled small-scale traders to sell 2,809.31 grammes of Tanzanite worth TZS271.27 million at an auction held on May 15, 2026.
At a separate auction for large-scale traders held on May 21, 2026, a total of 10,174.92 grammes was sold for TZS721.75 million.
He said the auctions were organised by the Mining Commission in collaboration with the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX) through an electronic trading system.
Mr Kaseza added that a trial international Tanzanite auction was expected to take place in Dubai during the first week of November 2026, while domestic auctions were scheduled for December 2026, January 2027 and May 2027.
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The committee's visit also involved Deputy Minister Dr Kiruswa, Minerals Commissioner Dr Abdulrahman Mwanga and officials from the Mining Commission, Manyara Regional Commissioner's Office, Simanjiro District authorities and local government representatives.
The call for expanded exploration comes amid efforts to strengthen Tanzania's mining sector through improved resource management, greater investment and increased participation of local operators.
However, stakeholders say reliable electricity and water supplies will remain critical to translating the sector's potential into higher production, employment and economic benefits for mining communities.