Overview
The copper refining plant that Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa officiated its foundation stone-laying on June 19 is owned by Mineral Access Systems Tanzania Ltd (MAST).
MAST a local mining firm dedicated to sustainable and inclusive trade in strategic minerals, was established in 2011. Its modern copper refining plant located in Mbugani, Chunya District.
Investment Value
The $10 million plant is a joint venture between MAST and MCC of New York, underscoring international investor confidence in Tanzania’s mining sector.
Production capacity
Currently, the plant can process 31,200 tonnes of copper ore monthly. Of these, 27,200 tonnes are sourced from MAST’s own mine while 4,000 tonnes are procured from local artisanal miners, offering them a reliable market.
Technology and output
The facility refines low-grade copper (0.5–2%) using advanced leaching and cementation technology, upgrading it to 75% purity copper cement.
Employment impact
The plant employs 254 people so far—205 of them Tanzanians, with 60 percent hailing from Mbeya. In the next phase, employment is expected to exceed 500, with 95 percent being locals.
National economic benefits
The government has already earned Sh228 million from the first 200-tonne consignment and Chunya District Council has received over Sh9 million in local revenues.
CSR contributions
MAST has improved village infrastructure by rehabilitating a 6-km road and constructing an 11-km new one, and has donated sports equipment as part of its social responsibility programme.
Expansion plans
MAST plans to establish three more copper processing plants in Simanjiro (Manyara), Mbesa (Ruvuma), and Dodoma—each expected to create over 500 jobs and contribute $40 million annually to the economy.
Nickel processing
Plans are underway to install special machinery for processing both laterite and sulphide nickel ores, further reinforcing Tanzania’s beneficiation agenda.
Strategic government policy
Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the government is focused on developing mineral value addition industries to boost employment, revenues, and local economic transformation.
Licence distribution
As of May 2025, the Ministry of Minerals has issued four copper refining licences, with operations in Chunya, Dar es Salaam, Iringa and Lindi.
Opportunities for artisanal miners and contractors
The Chunya plant offers steady market access for small-scale miners, and opens up subcontracting and service provision prospects.
Copper deposits and global context
Tanzania hosts significant copper deposits across Geita, Mara, Shinyanga, Mwanza, Katavi, Rukwa, Kigoma, Mbeya, Njombe, Lindi, Ruvuma, Dodoma, Iringa and Morogoro. Globally, leading producers include Chile, Peru, DRC, China, and the US, with Zambia dominating on the African continent.
Why copper matters
Copper is central to modern technology and the green energy transition, with uses ranging from electric vehicles and wind turbines to solar panels and household wiring.
Chunya’s economic outlook
Already the second-largest gold-producing district after Geita, Chunya is poised for accelerated economic growth through its mineral sector, driven by the new MAST refinery.
