Tanzania Boosts Mining Revenue Through Legal Reforms, Eyes Deeper Exploration

Tanzania's mining sector remains a cornerstone of its economy, contributing 11% to the Gross Domestic Product and 15% of the nation's total tax revenue. Minister of Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, stated that legal and management system reforms are now yielding positive results, increasing government revenue, gold reserves, and Tanzanian participation in the sector.

“

We entered that by changing section 59 of the Mining Act, which now gives BOT the opportunity to buy minerals from large and small sellers. From October 2024 to today, we have already entered the top five in Africa for gold reserves in central banks.

Mavunde highlighted a key reform: an amendment to Section 59 of the Mining Act. This change empowers the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) to purchase gold from large-scale and small-scale miners. Since October 2024, this initiative has positioned Tanzania among Africa's top five countries for gold reserves held by central banks, with over 24 tons in BoT's vaults. Mavunde views this as clear evidence of how legal adjustments can enhance national resource benefits.

“

Our country has an area of 945,000 square kilometers. We have conducted mineral research on 97%, but deep research has only been done on 16%.

"In 2025, we generated Sh1.07 trillion, equivalent to 103% of the target. This year, we have already reached Sh1.3 trillion, which is 107% of the target for this period," Mavunde reported, underscoring the sector's economic growth. However, he identified a significant challenge: the limited extent of deep mineral exploration across the country.

“

The development of any sector depends on investment in research and innovation.

Tanzania covers approximately 945,000 square kilometers, yet deep mineral exploration has only been conducted on 16% of the land. The government aims to increase this figure to 50% through aerial survey projects in Kigoma, Katavi, and Southern Tanzania, as well as a joint project with China in the Tabora and Shinyanga regions. Both UDSM's Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Prof. Nelson Boniface, and Vice-Chancellor Prof. William Anangisye emphasized the critical role of research and innovation in maximizing the value of the nation's mineral wealth.

“

We must ask ourselves how we use technology to add value to the mining sector, not just treat it as a normal resource.