RUANGWA: THE Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde has signed two new partnership agreements with mining companies for the extraction of graphite in Ruangwa District, Lindi Region with the aim to strengthen investment in the sector and expand the country’s mineral value chain.
The agreements signed earlier today, May 30, 2026, involve Eminent Minerals Limited through Swala Graphite Corporation Limited, a Tanzanian-owned joint venture, and Grafica Resources Limited through Grafica Graphite Corporation Limited, which includes foreign investors.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Minister said that projects represent more than mining operations, describing them as a key driver of youth employment and skills transfer in modern mineral extraction technologies.
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Additionally, Mr Mavunde directed the companies to prioritise employment opportunities for residents in surrounding areas, including Nambilanje, Narungo’mbe and Chunyu wards, stressing that local participation is central to government policy on resource development.
He said the government’s goal is to ensure Tanzania moves beyond exporting raw minerals and instead develops industries for processing, battery production and full participation in the global graphite value chain through increased local content and industrialisation.
“We want to see more investment in processing these minerals within the country, the production of modern batteries, and industries that will be built on the basis of these important resources. That is why we continue to promote the local content policy so that Tanzanians can fully participate in the economy generated by these projects,” he said.