Tanzanian, Canadian firms to search for rare metal
What you need to know:
- Dar es Salaam-based Memnon Project Management Services Company Limited and Anibesa Energy Metals, which is based in Vancouver, Canada, will work jointly in prospecting for niobium in Mbozi District, Songwe Region
Dar es Salaam. A partnership between a Tanzanian firm and a Canadian company is expected to unlock up to $50 million in investment in prospecting for niobium in Tanzania, The Citizen has learnt.
Dar es Salaam-based Memnon Project Management Services Company Limited and Anibesa Energy Metals, which is based in Vancouver, Canada, will work jointly in prospecting for niobium in Mbozi District, Songwe Region.
“So far so good. We have received all the relevant regulatory approvals from the government. Experts are already in the country and all is set to begin. Up to $50 million will be invested in the project,” Memnon Project Management Services co-director Jackson Pemba told The Citizen at the weekend.
He added: We are in the final stage of buying the 3 licenses for niobium minerals, at the same time we already have 3 prospective licenses for niobium.
Three more geologists are expected to arrive in the country soon to join other experts in the exploration.
Memnon Project Management Services, whose legal side of operations is being coordinated by Dar es Salaam-based NMP Law Chambers, also has interests in several other projects, including the Kongwa Lithium Project (KLP) in Dodoma Region. It also has interests in solar energy through its Chamwino Solar Hybrid Company Limited.
Niobium is a rare shiny, white metal that is used in alloys, including stainless steel. It improves the strength of the alloys, particularly at low temperatures. Alloys containing niobium are used in jet engines and rockets, beams and girders for buildings, oil rigs and oil and gas pipelines. The metal also has superconducting properties.
As of 2022, Brazil had the world’s largest reserves of niobium, amounting to 16 million tonnes, available data shows.
Memnon Project Management Services holds all relevant approvals from the government and its regulatory agencies, including a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from the Tanzania Revenue Authority, business licence from the Kinondoni Municipal Council and a mineral prospecting licence from the Ministry of Minerals’ Mining Commission.
The licence, issued in July 2023, gives Memnon Project Management Services the go-ahead to prospect for iridium, niobium (columbium) and rhodium in Nanyala, Mbozi District.
The licence will be valid for 48 months (four years), according to documents seen by The Citizen.
On the other hand, Anibesa is a Canadian Incorporated mining company with a focus on acquiring natural resource development projects, specifically in the critical metals domain, that have significant value upside potential. Anibesa works with local communities and partners by way of overseeing research and development and then financing development of projects.
The partnership followed a request by the two companies, which was approved by the Mining Commission last November.
“…the Mining Commission, pursuant to Section 123 (1) of the Mining Act, Cap 123, hereby confirm recording in the Central Registry the Partnership Agreement dated 16th November 2023 of Prospecting Licenses Nos PL 12440/2023, PL 12441/2023 and PL 12442/2023 between Momnon Project Management Services Company Limited and M/S Anibesa Energy Metals Corp,” the approval reads in part.
The partners in the project, who include Mr Mengesha Woldegeberal, are confident that through the projects, they will be playing a key role in the attainment of Tanzania’s objective of attracting credible international companies that may contribute to the development of the mining industry.
Under the partnership, the companies will focus on acquiring natural resource development projects in the critical metals’ domain that have significant value upside potential.
