GGM experts ‘barred’ from gold deposits exploration

Dodoma. The government has restricted the Geita Gold Mine (GGM) from conducting gold exploration in Chamwino District due to on-going expansion of the State House, The Citizen can reveal.

Recently, a team of experts from GGM was in the region for at least two weeks in a special mission of exploring availability of gold deposits in Bahi, Chemba and Chamwino districts, but the regional authority allegedly denied them entry into latter.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with The Citizen on condition of anonymity, one of the GGM experts said the regional authorities denied them a chance to conduct a survey in Chamwino District.

“We have been here for two consecutive weeks waiting for the government’s permission to conduct the survey. However, we have failed after the regional authorities blocked us from entering the district where we were set to carry out the exploration,” the anonymous expert said at Saint Gasper Hotel where the team had checked in.

Confirming the matter, the regional mines officer, Mr Silimu Mtigile said the GGM experts had been permitted to conduct exploration surveys for gold deposits in Bahi and Chemba districts only.

“It’s true the GGM experts have been restricted from conducting the gold exploration in Chamwino. Currently, they are in Bahi and Chemba,” he said.

However, when contacted, the Chamwino District Commissioner, Ms Vumilia Nyamonga said she was not aware of the restriction.

“I have not received such people in my office and I have no clue about them including the said exploration in my district,” she told The Citizen through telephone.