DA ES SALAAM: A delegation from Zambia led by Zambia’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Matthews Jerre, has expressed admiration for the development of Tanzania’s mining sector particularly the way mining activities and the network of mineral buying and trading centers are operated from the level of small-scale miners to large-scale miners, along with the presence of strong policies that guide and regulate mineral resources.
Ambassador Jerre made the remarks after receiving a special presentation on the trends in mining, management, markets, laws, and investment procedures under the 2009 Mineral Policy.
Speaking about market management systems, Tisa Chama, Chief Technical Officer from Zambia’s state-owned company ZCCM-IH, which represents the government in mining and energy companies, commended the Tanzanian government for establishing robust systems that connect all markets and mineral buying centers an achievement Zambia hopes to reach so it can accurately determine the actual amount of gold produced.
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On his part, Kennedy Mwandama, Chief Commercial Officer at ZCCM-IH, was impressed by the use of technology in mineral market systems, the inclusion of small-scale miners in exploration and processing activities following professional guidance, and various sectoral frameworks that bring together the private sector and the government.
“I am personally very impressed by the use of technology in the mineral market systems and buying centers across the country. This is a great advantage for stakeholders and the nation as a whole, and it is a very significant step forward in development,” said Mwandama.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Minerals, Archard Kalugendo, explained to the delegation that Tanzania decided to formalize small-scale miners in order to recognize their major contribution.
To date, small-scale miners contribute approximately 40percent of the mining sector’s revenue, and in 2024 the mining sector contributed 10.1percent to the national GDP.
Kalugendo elaborated that major reforms began after the 2017 amendments to the Mining Act.