Tanzania targets 50 percent geophysical survey coverage by 2030

GEITA: THE Tanzanian government, through the Ministry of Minerals, has strategically set plans to intensify deep geophysical surveys from the current coverage of approximately 16pc to at least 50pc of the country’s total land area by 2030.

The initiative aims to increase the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy where by 2025/26, the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had reached 10 percent, while it accounted for 56 percent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, made the statement during the launch of the Mining Technology Exhibition held at the Dr Samia Suluhu grounds in Geita.

Dr Kiruswa said extensive geophysical surveys would increase access to accurate information on rock formations with mineral indicators, enabling the Ministry to identify new areas for small-scale miners.

“This will significantly reduce the cost of mineral exploration, which causes small-scale miners to lose their capital,” said Dr Kiruswa.

He said the initiative is also part of efforts to eliminate misconceptions and traditional beliefs among some small-scale miners who still associate mineral extraction with superstitious beliefs.

“Mining is science, and as a Ministry, we have come up with Vision 2030 to show Tanzanians where minerals are located, what type of minerals they are, their quality and quantities, so that we can undertake productive investments,” said Dr Kiruswa.

He said that, in linking the mining sector with other sectors, the Ministry launched the Mining for a Better Tomorrow (MBT) programme to ensure that minerals benefit all society groups.

He said the programme involves the provision of equipment, technical support, research information, licences and other business and investment opportunities, as well as the operation of equipment and machinery.

Dr Kiruswa also assured Tanzanians that the Ministry is keeping on reviewing and amending mining policies and laws, including legislation governing land ownership rights and mineral rights, in order to reduce conflicts of interest.

Geita Regional Commissioner, Mr Alexander Mnyeti, said that, to ensure minerals do not become a source of conflict, the Ministry of Minerals needed to review laws governing land ownership rights and mineral rights.

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Mr Mnyeti said there had been numerous conflicts arising from conflicting interests under the existing legal framework and called for swift action to protect the interests of Tanzanians.

The Deputy Director of the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE), Mr Fredy Liundi, said that according to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), mineral exports amounted to 11.7tri/- in 2025.

Mr Liundi said the figures demonstrated strong management of the mining sector under the Sixth Phase Government compared with 2021, when mineral exports stood at approximately 7.2 tri/-.

The Geita Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Mohamed Gombati, said the Ninth Mining Technology Exhibition 2026 had attracted 765 participants, including 15 mining companies.

The Managing Director of Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML), Mr Ashraf Suryaningrat, commended the Government for organising the exhibition, describing it as an open platform for knowledge, business and networking within the mining sector.

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