Dar es Salaam. The government has introduced new regulations to control the participation of foreigners in small-scale mining licences, aiming to protect the interests of local miners and ensure that technical support arrangements are properly managed.
Through the ministry of Minerals, the government has enacted regulations to govern technical support in Primary Mining Licenses (PMLs), as provided for under Section 8 of the Mining Act, Chapter 123, which designates these licences exclusively for Tanzanians.
Section 8(3) of the Mining Act permits holders of small-scale mining licences to engage in technical support agreements with foreigners.
However, concerns have arisen over the increasing number of foreigners entering mining areas under the guise of providing technical assistance, often without following a clear procedure.
Presenting the Ministry of Minerals’ 2024/25 budget in Parliament last year, the minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde said the government had decided to establish these regulations following an upsurge in foreigners operating in small-scale mining areas without adhering to structured agreements.
He said the situation had, in some cases, disadvantaged small-scale miners, denying them the intended benefits of capacity building through their licences.
It had also, he added, fuelled unnecessary disputes within mining groups, as a few leaders would sometimes enter into technical support agreements without involving all members.
In line with the commitment made by Mr Mavunde to implement the directives of President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, the government on April 25, 2025 issued Government Notice No. 260, officially introducing the new regulations.
The regulations provide for several key measures, including the registration of technical support contracts with the Mining Commission between small-scale miners and technical support providers; a clear definition of the term “technical support” to ensure it strictly serves the purpose of enhancing productivity and skills development; and a framework for revenue sharing between the holder of the small-scale mining licence and the technical support provider for the minerals produced.
The government believes that the new regulations will foster a more transparent and beneficial environment for Tanzanian small-scale miners, while ensuring that any foreign involvement is properly structured and genuinely supportive.
