Tanzania’s mining sector has registered strong growth, generating 1.7 trn/- for the government’s consolidated fund by June 30 this year.

Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde, said the contribution surpassed the 1 trn/- target for the last financial year by 113 percent. 

He made the remarks at Sekenke One mine in Singida Region during a forum organized to congratulate President Samia Suluhu Hassan for four years of achievements in the sector.

He cited other milestones, including mineral exports reaching 7 trn/- in 2023 and contributing 2.1 trn/- to domestic revenue, equivalent to 15 percent.

The Minister added that under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's Mining Vision 2030, Tanzania aims to expand mineral exploration coverage to 50 percent from the current 16 percent.

He further revealed that 1,331 hectares of land have been allocated in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region, for value-addition industries, with eight gold refineries already operating.

Despite being among Africa’s top five gold producers, Tanzania was previously not ranked among the continent’s top ten, Mavunde noted, a gap that led the government to amend mining laws last year.

The reforms required that at least 20 percent of gold be sold to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), enabling the central bank to purchase 8.7 tonnes and pushing Tanzania into Africa’s top ten producers, ahead of Mozambique.