Mercury use in mining poses major health risks in Tanzania

Speaking at a public dialogue organised by HakiRasilimali, the organisation’s Strategy and Partnership Assistant, Ms Irene Mosha, said most mercury-based mining occurs near human settlements, therefore endangering communities.

“Women account for around 40 per cent of small-scale miners and are among the most vulnerable. They also face bureaucratic hurdles in obtaining mining permits, which forces many to operate informally,” she explained.

To mitigate these risks, Ms Mosha said HakiRasilimali, in collaboration with the Canadian High Commission, is training artisanal miners to conduct operations in compliance with national laws and international standards.

“For the mining sector to grow while upholding human rights, there must be close cooperation between government, the private sector, civil society, and development partners,” insisted Ms Mosha.

She added, “The government must enforce laws, while miners and communities must comply. Authorities should also continue providing legal education in simple language so small-scale miners can understand regulations.”

The Tanzania Chamber of Mines Chairman, Mr Filbert Rweyemamu, noted that cooperation exists between large and small-scale miners, hinting that limited funding for training remains a major challenge.

He commended government efforts to support miners through group organisation, licensing, loans, persuading banks to extend capital, and providing research equipment and model training centres.

Assistant Commissioner for Minerals responsible for Local Content and Corporate Social Responsibility, Mr Terence Ngole, said mining accidents persist largely due to negligence, with some miners ignoring expert safety instructions.

“Mine inspections today are far more effective than in the past, thanks to the establishment of the Mining Commission. However, some accidents occur due to natural factors, such as heavy rains, for which miners are often unprepared,” he explained.

The Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAMWOA) Secretary General, Ms Salma Ernest, called for stronger collaboration between the government, mining operators, and environmental stakeholders to address sectoral challenges.

She also urged financial institutions to continue supporting artisanal miners with access to capital to improve operations.

As Tanzania seeks to formalise small-scale mining while reducing health and environmental risks, experts stress that urgent action, training, and regulatory enforcement are key to ensuring safer, more sustainable practices in the sector.