DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde has called on mining investors across Tanzania to accelerate implementation of approved projects, saying the country must urgently begin to realise jobs, revenue and broader economic benefits from investments already supported by the Government.
Mr Mavunde said President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has created a stable and investor-friendly environment for the mining sector and expects investors whose projects are ready or near implementation to match that progress with timely execution on the ground.
He made the remarks in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, after holding talks with executives of Faru Graphite Corporation, which is preparing to develop a major graphite project in Mahenge District, Morogoro Region.
“President Samia Suluhu Hassan has continued to lead efforts to create a friendly environment that attracts and facilitates investment in Tanzania. This is clearly seen through the number of investor projects already in the country and others that are close to implementation,” he said.
Mr Mavunde said it was now time for investors whose projects have not yet started to move decisively into implementation so that investments can deliver tangible value to the country.
“It is now time for all investors in the mining sector whose projects have not started to support the President’s efforts in practice by moving quickly into implementation so these projects can benefit our nation,” he said.
He stressed that Tanzania’s mining sector has reached a stage where investment commitments alone are no longer sufficient.
He said licensed projects must transition into construction and production phases in order to generate employment, expand exports, increase government revenue and stimulate local economies.
Mr Mavunde also urged Faru Graphite to speed up preparations for the Mahenge project, including compensation payments to residents to clear the way for development.
He said timely and transparent compensation is an essential part of responsible project implementation, enabling mining activities to proceed while safeguarding the rights and interests of affected communities.
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Faru Graphite is expected to develop a large-scale graphite project in Mahenge, a mineral-rich area in Morogoro Region.
The minister said the project, which is expected to operate for about 26 years, will create jobs and stimulate economic activity in Morogoro and beyond.
Graphite is increasingly gaining global importance due to its use in batteries, electric vehicles, energy storage systems and other industrial applications, placing Tanzania’s deposits within the global critical minerals value chain.
Mr Mavunde said the Government’s objective is for mining projects to move beyond licensing into fullscale production that delivers measurable benefits to Tanzanians.
He said the Ministry will continue engaging investors directly to ensure viable projects are implemented within reasonable timelines and in line with national development priorities.
“For the Government, the message to the sector is clear: Tanzania has improved the investment environment and investors must now deliver,” he said.
Black Rock Limited Managing Director John de Vries thanked the government for its continued cooperation and support in advancing the Mahenge project.