Valuation exercise advances as North Mara prepares for new tailings storage facility

MARA: THE valuation of properties belonging to residents affected by the planned construction of a new Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) at the North Mara Gold Mine is progressing, with government authorities saying they are committed to ensuring that the process is transparent, participatory and fair.

The exercise, which is taking place in Matongo and Nyangoto villages in Matongo Ward, Tarime District, Mara Region, is an important step towards the acquisition of land required for the project and the subsequent payment of compensation to affected residents. Senior Valuer from the Office of the Chief Valuer at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Mr Baraka Mollel, said valuation experts were working to ensure that every affected property was properly identified, measured and assessed in accordance with established procedures and its actual value.

“The valuation exercise is proceeding well and we are committed to ensuring that every citizen’s property within the affected area is identified, measured and valued in accordance with established procedures and the property’s actual value,” Mr Mollel said while speaking during the exercise in the two villages.

He said the process was being conducted in close cooperation with local leaders and residents, allowing valuation experts to work directly with communities and address issues arising during the assessment. According to Mr Mollel, the involvement of residents and local authorities was intended to strengthen transparency and public participation while helping ensure that the valuation process reflected the assets located within the area earmarked for the project.

The scale of the exercise has already become evident, with more than 350 residents having their properties and other assets assessed by September 15. Tarime District Commissioner Major Edward Gowele said the response from residents had been significant and satisfactory, describing the participation recorded so far as an important indication of community engagement with the process. He said the valuation exercise was expected to be completed within 60 days. The project requires approximately 419 acres of land for the construction of the new TSF, making the valuation exercise a critical stage before the land acquisition process can move forward.

“The valuation is being conducted by experts from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development. Before the exercise began, the government, in collaboration with North Mara mine, held meetings to inform and sensitise residents about the project and the valuation process,” Major Gowele said.

The meetings were intended to provide residents with information about the proposed development, explain the valuation procedures and give communities an opportunity to understand the implications of the land acquisition. For residents whose homes, farms or other assets fall within the affected area, the valuation process represents more than an administrative exercise.

It is a process directly connected to their property rights and the compensation they may receive before their land is acquired for the project. That makes accuracy, transparency and community participation particularly important. Major Gowele said the valuation exercise had brought together stakeholders at different levels of administration, beginning with village and ward authorities and extending to the district administration.

The arrangement has created opportunities for local leaders and residents to participate in the process as valuation teams move through the affected areas. He also pointed to the involvement of human rights advocates and government institutions, including the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), as part of efforts to promote fairness and accountability.

“There is a high level of transparency, with the involvement of human rights advocates and government bodies including the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB)—to ensure fairness,” he said.

The presence of different stakeholders reflects the sensitivity of land acquisition, particularly where a major industrial project requires land that is occupied or used by local communities. By involving government valuation officials, local authorities and other oversight stakeholders, authorities are seeking to establish confidence in the assessment process and ensure that residents have an opportunity to participate.

The valuation exercise is linked to the proposed construction of a new Tailings Storage Facility at North Mara Gold Mine. A TSF is a facility designed to safely contain tailings; the material left over after valuable minerals have been extracted during mining and processing.

As mining operations continue, adequate tailings storage capacity becomes an essential part of maintaining operations and managing mining waste. For North Mara, the proposed facility is therefore closely connected to the mine’s future operations. According to Barrick, technical studies have extended the operational life of North Mara from 2030 to 2041.

The proposed TSF is expected to support the mine’s continued operation during this extended period. The development consequently has significance beyond the immediate land acquisition process. It is also linked to the longer-term future of one of Tanzania’s established goldmining operations. North Mara is operated by Barrick in partnership with the Government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals, a partnership that has been in place since 2019.

According to Barrick, the partnership has contributed significantly to the Tanzanian economy, with the company stating that it has invested 4.79 billion US dollars in Tanzania’s economy since the partnership began. Barrick Company Relations Manager Mr Francis Uhadi said the company was prepared to proceed with the process promptly while respecting the rights and interests of residents affected by the project. He said those rights would be protected in accordance with Tanzanian laws and established procedures.

The statement comes at a significant point in the project, as the valuation exercise establishes the basis for determining compensation for properties within the area required for the TSF. Mr Uhadi also highlighted the company’s contribution to the local economy through employment and procurement.

He said more than 90 per cent of production-related goods were sourced from local suppliers, while Tanzanians accounted for 96 per cent of the company’s workforce. The figures underline the broader economic relationship between the mine and surrounding communities, even as the proposed TSF creates the need for additional land acquisition. For residents directly affected by the project, however, the immediate concern remains the valuation of their individual properties and the compensation process that follows.

The progress of the valuation exercise is likely to remain closely watched in Matongo and Nyangoto as authorities work towards the 60-day completion target. The participation of residents, village and ward leaders, district authorities, government valuation experts and other stakeholders is intended to provide checks at different stages of the process.

At the centre of the exercise is the principle that properties affected by the project must be properly identified and assessed before compensation is determined. Mr Mollel’s assurance that properties will be valued according to established procedures and their actual value reflects the government’s stated commitment to protecting the interests of affected property owners. Meanwhile, Major Gowele’s emphasis on community sensitisation and stakeholder participation highlights the importance of ensuring that residents understand the process and have opportunities to engage with officials.

For North Mara, the successful completion of the valuation exercise will mark another step towards securing the land needed for the new TSF. For affected residents, it will mark progress towards the compensation stage and a clearer understanding of how the proposed development will affect their properties. As valuation teams continue their work across Matongo and Nyangoto, the focus will remain on completing accurate assessments, maintaining transparency and ensuring that the land acquisition process proceeds in accordance with Tanzanian law.

With approximately 419 acres required for the new facility and more than 350 residents already assessed, the exercise has entered a significant phase. Its outcome will help determine how the land required for the TSF is acquired and compensated, while also laying part of the foundation for North Mara’s planned continuation of operations through 2041.

For the communities of Matongo and Nyangoto, the process is ultimately about more than figures recorded on valuation forms. It concerns homes, farms, livelihoods and property accumulated over years. For the government and the mining company, it is a necessary step in advancing a project expected to support the mine’s future. How successfully the two interests are balanced will depend on the transparency, accuracy and fairness with which the remaining stages of the valuation and compensation process are carried out.

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