Tanzania makes progress in mining regulations
Tanzania, within a year granted a total of 8,501 mining-related licences, marking steady progress toward its annual target of 10,294.
Minister of Minerals Anthony Mavunde presented these figures during his budget speech to Parliament in Dodoma on May 2, 2025. The issued licences include one Special Mining Licence (SML), 25 standard Mining Licences (MLs), 396 Prospecting Licences (PLs), and 6,227 Primary Mining Licences (PMLs). Additionally, the Commission approved 548 Dealer Licences (DLs), 1,290 Broker Licences (BLs), a single Refining Licence (RFL), and 13 Processing Licences (PCLs).
Role played
In its regulatory role, the Commission also issued default notices to 118 holders of prospecting licences and 41 medium-scale mining licences due to breaches such as failure to pay annual fees or delays in developing licensed sites. As a result, five prospecting licences and nine mining licences were revoked after their owners did not resolve the violations. These actions reflect the government’s commitment to enforce compliance and prevent misuse of mineral rights.
Furthermore, the Commission conducted laboratory analyses on 972 copper concentrate samples from major mining companies including Bulyanhulu Gold Mine, Katavi Mining Company Limited, Jiuxing (TZ) Mining Limited, and ZEM (T) Company Limited. An additional 4,011 samples were tested for private clients. These tests, aimed at promoting transparency and informed decision-making in the mineral trade, generated approximately TZS 296.7 million in government revenue.
In a separate initiative, the Ministry of Minerals issued warnings to 95 holders of large- and medium-scale licences who had failed to begin operations within the required 18-month timeframe. Minister Mavunde emphasized that these licence holders must provide valid reasons for their inactivity by May 13, 2025, or risk cancellation. He noted that seven of these dormant licences represent a potential investment of TZS 15 trillion, and stressed that prolonged inactivity, especially when blamed on ongoing negotiations with the government, would no longer be accepted. Responses will be reviewed, and where justified, default notices may be withdrawn or conditions imposed. Failure to respond satisfactorily will lead to licence revocation.
