The Ministry of Minerals is on the verge of implementing the "Mining for Better Tomorrow - BMT" strategy, which aims to empower Tanzanian youth to participate in the mining sector, fostering self-employment and contributing to the entire mining value chain. This move aligns with the sector's role in national income and the overall economy.
Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, made this announcement during the opening of the Ministry of Minerals' Annual Workers' Council Meeting for the 2023/24 fiscal year, held on January 19, 2024, at the Government City of Mtumba in the Dodoma Municipal Council Hall.
Dr. Kiruswa outlined that the strategy aims to assist and persuade the youth to actively engage in the mining economy, making them significant contributors to development through the mining sector.
"The 'Mining for Better Tomorrow - BMT' strategy will empower the youth by providing them with employment opportunities, building their capacities, connecting them with financial institutions for capital, supplying equipment and machinery, and offering guidance from experts in the field of mineral exploration, mining, processing, and valuation," stated Dr. Kiruswa.
Furthermore, Dr. Kiruswa emphasized the Ministry's commitment to increasing in-depth research on minerals. He shared the goal of raising the current 16% coverage of the country's total area devoted to mining research to at least 50% by the year 2030. The objective is to identify all areas with mineral resources, expand opportunities for Small, Medium, and Large-Scale Miners, and ensure the sustainable operation of mining activities, benefiting both miners and the government.
Kheri Mahimbali, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Minerals and Chairman of the Council, highlighted the Ministry's priorities for the fiscal year 2023/24. These include enhancing revenue collection, increasing the contribution of the mining sector to the national income, developing strategic and priority minerals, extending support services to Small-Scale Miners, promoting value addition to minerals, encouraging investment in the mining sector, and organizing gem and mineral exhibitions.
"In the period from July to December 2023, we have seen notable achievements, including an increase in revenue collections, which amounted to TZS 375.48 billion, compared to TZS 353.43 billion during the same period in the 2022/23 fiscal year," Mahimbali reported.
He added that other achievements include the sector's increased contribution to the national income, reaching 10.2% in the third quarter of 2023 (July to September), compared to 9.6% in the same period in 2022. The growth rate of the mining sector also accelerated to 10.2%, compared to 9.6% in the corresponding period in 2022.
Joseph Ngulumwa, Chairman of the Tanzania Union of Government and Health Employees (TUGHE) branch of the Ministry of Minerals, applauded the leadership's effective oversight, resulting in significant progress in the mining sector.
"In 2017, the sector's contribution was 4.2%, and by 2022, it had reached 9.1%. We are also aware that several mineral extraction projects in the Lindi and Morogoro regions have been well-managed, and by 2025, we expect more than 3 new mines to commence operations," stated Ngulumwa.
The meeting was attended by Department and Unit Heads, Representatives from Departments and Units, Representatives from Institutions under the Ministry of Minerals, TUGHE Representatives from Headquarters and the Dodoma Regional level, the Labor Officer for the Dodoma Region, and the Labor Commissioner.