A prominent gold miner in Nzega District, Tabora Region, Rashed Shabout, has praised Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde for his efforts to expand opportunities for indigenous small-scale miners, saying access to mining licences is critical to ensuring Tanzanians benefit from the country’s mineral wealth.
Mr Shabout said the minister’s leadership had strengthened the position of local miners in the mining sector, particularly by promoting their participation in an industry traditionally associated with large-scale investment.
In a press statement, he commended Mr Mavunde for overseeing the sector in line with the Constitution, national laws, regulations and policies, while prioritising the interests of the country and its citizens.
“I particularly commend your efforts to strengthen and protect the position of indigenous small-scale miners,” Mr Shabout said.
He described initiatives to ensure Tanzanians gain access to mining licences as an important step towards economic empowerment, arguing that mineral resources should create opportunities for ordinary citizens as well as major investors.
“Mineral resources should be an opportunity for Tanzanians, not only large-scale investors but also small-scale miners, who have remained an important part of our country's economy,” he said.
Mr Shabout said expanding access to mining opportunities could help create jobs, strengthen locally owned businesses and increase the participation of Tanzanians in the country's mineral economy.
He added that enabling indigenous miners to participate meaningfully in the sector would help ensure that the benefits of mineral resources translate into broader economic opportunities and contribute to national development.
His remarks come amid continued efforts to increase local participation in the mining industry, particularly among small-scale operators who play a significant role in mineral production and livelihood creation.
Mr Shabout urged the minister to sustain the initiatives, saying the performance of the mining sector should not be judged solely by investment and production figures but also by the extent to which ordinary Tanzanians benefit from their country's natural resources.
“The success of the mining sector should also be measured by how ordinary Tanzanians benefit from the resources of their own country,” he said.
He congratulated Mr Mavunde for what he described as his contribution to empowering indigenous small-scale miners and strengthening the sector, wishing him continued wisdom and good health in serving the country.