DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government has seized 4,402.20 grammes of gold worth more than Sh1.2 billion that was being smuggled outside the country’s formal mineral trading system, following intensified operations against illegal mineral trade by the Ministry of Minerals’ Taskforce.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam today,July 27, 2026, Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde said the seizure was the result of coordinated efforts by the multi-agency Taskforce, which brings together law enforcement agencies to combat mineral smuggling and illegal trade across the country.
“The government, through the Ministry of Minerals, established a Task Force comprising various law enforcement agencies to curb illegal mineral trading and smuggling. This seizure is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s mineral trading system,” Mavunde said.
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He explained that the gold had not passed through the official mineral trading system, depriving the government of revenue that could have been used to improve the delivery of public services.
“This gold, valued at more than Sh1.2 billion, did not pass through the official mineral trading system, denying the government revenue that would have supported the provision of essential public services to citizens,” he said.
Mavunde added that the confiscated gold had been forfeited to the State in accordance with the law and was now being held at the Bank of Tanzania (BoT).
He further directed the Taskforce, working together with other law enforcement agencies, to conduct a thorough investigation into the suspect arrested in connection with the gold to establish its origin and intended destination, with the aim of dismantling the entire smuggling network.
The minister also ordered that if the suspect is found to hold a mineral trading licence, it should be revoked immediately and the individual placed on a blacklist to prevent them from engaging in mineral trading in Tanzania in the future.
Meanwhile, Mavunde urged members of the public to comply with the country’s mining laws and conduct mineral transactions through the official mineral markets and government-established buying centres operating nationwide.