Report Outlines Key Areas to Boost Small-Scale Miners in Tanzania

Small-scale miners in Tanzania could see significant benefits from a new government-commissioned report that proposes comprehensive reforms to bolster the sector. The report, launched on June 13, 2026, recommends measures aimed at empowering miners, increasing production, accelerating the formalization of their operations, and enhancing the sector's contribution to national economic growth. Victor Tesha, chairman of the committee that prepared the proposals, stated that the recommendations are designed to address long-standing challenges faced by small-scale miners, particularly concerning access to capital. "Our proposals aim to empower small-scale miners to increase production, strengthen the formalization of mining activities, and enhance the mining sector's contribution to the country's economic growth," Tesha said. Key recommendations include establishing a specialized mining development fund, improving access to affordable loans, geological information, modern extraction technologies, workplace safety standards, and reliable markets for minerals. The report highlights that small-scale miners account for approximately 40% of Tanzania's mining sector revenue but are hindered by obstacles such as limited access to formal financing, poor geological data, outdated equipment, weak institutional support, and environmental and safety risks. According to the report, about 72% of small-scale miners still use traditional methods, leading to low productivity, high operating costs, inefficiency, and increased risks to miners and the environment. Despite Tanzania issuing numerous small-scale mining licenses by May 2025, indicating increased participation, the report notes that license ownership alone is insufficient without adequate capital, technical expertise, equipment, and markets for sustainable operations. To tackle these issues, a team appointed by the Minister of Minerals has proposed the creation of the Tanzania Mining Development Fund with an initial capital of $100 million.