Tanzania Mining Commission issues over 54,000 licenses in seven years

Dar es Salaam. The Mining Commission has issued 54,626 mining licenses over the past seven years, according to Acting Director of Licensing and ICT, Ms Aziza Swedi.

From the 2018/2019 fiscal year to September 2024, the commission awarded a range of licenses, including 1,683 Prospecting Licenses (PLs), 144 Mining Licenses (MLs), and five Special Mining Licenses (SMLs).

Additionally, 35,536 Primary Mining Licenses (PMLs), 216 Processing Licenses (PCLs), seven Refinery Licenses (RFLs), six Smelting Licenses (SLs), 12,273 Brokers Licenses (BLs), and 4,756 Dealers Licenses (DLs) were issued.

Ms Swedi highlighted the commission's efforts to support small-scale miners by designating 65 areas across various mining regions as of October 2024, providing a supportive environment for license acquisition and facilitating financial support.

The commission, in partnership with the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), is conducting research to provide miners with information on available resources, enhancing profitable mining opportunities.

Ms Swedi also noted the development of a new licensing management system aimed at improving the efficiency of license processing, management, and issuance.

"We plan to integrate this system with other government platforms, transfer data from the existing system, and provide user training upon completion of all upgrades," she said.