The government is drafting regulations to address conflicts between license holders and pit owners.

 

This was announced by the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, in Shinyanga at Mandu Village, Ntambalale mining area in Kahama District, during his visit to address the challenges facing small-scale miners.

He stated that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the resolution of all issues facing small-scale miners to enable them to work without conflicts. Mavunde emphasized that licenses will be reviewed starting July 2024 to ensure proper recognition of pit owners and their investments.

Mavunde also mentioned that technical support should enhance the use of technology in small-scale mining and not be seen as selling licenses to investors, displacing small-scale miners. The government will not overlook such issues.

Additionally, Mavunde condemned the unauthorized sale of group licenses and announced that from July 2024, any investor entering a group license must have the approval of the Executive Secretary of the Mining Commission.

To combat mineral smuggling, Mavunde pledged to increase efforts in the Kahama Mining Region, a known smuggling hub. He instructed local officials to review burdensome taxes on small-scale miners.

Idd Kassim, MP for Msalala, thanked Mavunde for addressing miners' grievances and praised the government's ongoing efforts to improve the mining sector's efficiency. Engineer Joseph Kumburu, Resident Mining Officer of Kahama, committed to educating small-scale miners on the legal taxes and fees. Shinyanga Regional Commissioner Anamringi Macha vowed to uphold government directives to strengthen the mining sector's performance.