By:Ippmedia

Speaking at a special meeting with members of the Tanzania Chamber of Minerals and Energy (TCME) over the weekend, Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing the sector by ensuring mining projects are launched without delay.

“The government has worked hard to remove barriers and streamline procedures for investors. Now, it’s time for the private sector to take action and begin implementing these projects,” he said, stressing that the government is determined to ensure these mining projects benefit both investors and the nation as a whole.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with key stakeholders, including TCME, to address challenges faced by investors and foster continued growth in the sector, which contributes significantly to Tanzania’s national GDP.

“We are working closely with relevant institutions to quickly identify and resolve challenges. We do not want bureaucracy to hinder progress in this vital sector,” Mavunde added.

The Minister further highlighted the importance of research in the mining sector, noting that sustainable development requires substantial investment in research to increase production and operational efficiency.

The mining sector has made significant strides, with its contribution to the national GDP growing from 7.2 percent in 2022/23 to an expected 9.0 percent in 2023/24. The government aims for the sector to contribute at least 10 percent of the national GDP by 2025.

Benjamin Mchwampaka, TCME Executive Director praised the government for its ongoing engagement with the private sector, noting that Tanzania is one of the few countries where the private sector is actively involved in high-level discussions alongside government officials, such as the annual Mining Indaba in South Africa.

“We value our partnership with the government and will continue collaborating to ensure both large and small-scale miners benefit from the opportunities in the mining sector,” he said.