Tanzania, Finland team up to unlock mining potential

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has entered into a strategic partnership with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) to enhance its mining sector.

The collaboration aims to leverage Finnish expertise to improve mineral exploration, promote sustainable mining practices, and attract foreign investment.

The agreement, forged between GTK and the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), sets the stage for in-depth mineral exploration, enhanced local expertise, and sustainable practices.

Speaking yesterday, minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde underscored the importance of the collaboration, saying it will address key challenges in the sector.

“The major task ahead of us is to conduct in-depth research to uncover underground minerals. So far, we have only managed to explore 16 percent of the country,” he said.

He further stated that with the collaboration and expertise from Finland, Tanzania could achieve significant progress.

“I also took the opportunity to showcase the investment opportunities available in Tanzania’s mining sector and invited investors to come to Tanzania, as I firmly believe we are among the few countries with a conducive environment for conducting business, especially in the mining sector,” he shared. 

Finland’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Theresa Zitting, said her country’s expertise in smart and sustainable mining aligns well with Tanzania’s vision for the sector. 

“Finnish companies can play a pivotal role by introducing innovative business models, circular economy practices, and efficient resource management.

These solutions will strengthen Tanzania’s efforts to build value chains within the country while emphasising environmental stewardship,” she said. 

Ms Zitting further highlighted the strong partnership between GTK and GST, founded on a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year.

“This collaboration demonstrates our shared commitment to knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint initiatives that will enhance mineral exploration and processing to benefit both nations,” she added.

GTK’s International Operations director, Mr Philipp Schmidt, reiterated Finland’s commitment to supporting Tanzania in digitalising its geological services.

“Tanzania has the fourth-largest graphite reserve in the world, with the highest quality graphite. We aim to assist the Geological Survey of Tanzania in identifying and managing these resources,” he said. 

Mr Schmidt also said GTK would help attract investment, improve mineral processing, manage mining environments, and support local companies in securing third-party funding.

On the other hand, ASNL Advisory CEO Humphrey Simba, who worked with the Finnish Embassy to organise the meeting, described the collaboration as a vital step for Tanzania’s mining future.

“It was an important platform to connect key players in the private and public sectors to support the continued growth of the mining industry and its contribution to Tanzania’s economy,” he said.

As the global demand for minerals surges, Tanzania’s bold steps to prioritise sustainable practices and attract foreign expertise could position it as a leading mining destination.