OVER 2,700 young small-scale miners in Tarime District, Mara Region, have begun a 14-day capacity building training programme aimed at equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful and safe mining operations.

The initiative, collaboration between Barrick North Mara Gold Mine and the North Mara Trust Fund, follows the recent allocation of 96 free mining licenses to 48 youth groups in the Nyamongo area.

Musoma District Commissioner Juma Chikoka launched the training over the weekend at Ingwe Secondary School grounds in Nyamongo. 

The DC urged the youth to fully participate and take the program seriously, emphasizing its role as a "guide and roadmap" for their mining endeavors.

"Through you, we expect to see new billionaires emerging in Nyamongo," DC Chikoka told the miners, assuring them of government support. "The government will stand by your side. If you have any challenges, please knock the door—you will be heard." He also advised them to avoid internal conflicts and adopt a proactive "no stone unturned" approach on their path to success.

DC Chikoka extended gratitude to Barrick for allocating mining areas to these small-scale miners, noting that this move will help address the issue of youth trespassing onto the North Mara Mine property under the pretext of lacking their own mining areas.

Francis Uhadi, mine's community relations commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her strong efforts in improving the country's mining sector.

 Uhadi reaffirmed the mine's commitment to supporting these government initiatives and stressed that success in small-scale mining projects requires strong cooperation between the government and other mining stakeholders.

Dr. Elisante Mshiu, the training facilitator, praised the Tanzanian government for being the first in the world to formally recognize and support small-scale miners. Dr. Mshiu outlined the comprehensive curriculum, which includes mining and mineral processing techniques, business skills, financial literacy, health and environmental care, group collaboration, and various mining laws and guidelines.

Some of the beneficiaries, including Dominic Daniel, Bedi Elias, Careen John, and Ester Max, expressed their excitement about the training. They called for the expedited completion of the remaining steps, such as allocating specific mining areas and providing modern equipment, so they can commence their mining activities promptly. "We thank the government for bringing us this training, but we also ask that the next steps—such as showing us the designated mining areas and providing modern equipment—be fast-tracked,” said Ester.

The training will be conducted in groups on different days at secondary schools within the Ingwe division, including Bwirege, Ingwe, Nyamongo, Nkenge, Kemambo, and Julius Kambarage Nyerere secondary schools.