Dar es Salaam. The State Mining Corporation (Stamico), in partnership with a Chinese firm, Coast Nickel Limited, is set to commence construction of a major, state-of-the-art nickel and copper processing plant in Tanzania, with operations expected to begin before the end of 2025.
Already, 24 out of 38 paid containers carrying essential equipment have arrived in the country, signalling significant progress in this long-anticipated project.
The initiative aims to advance the extensive mining and processing of strategic minerals located at Ntaka Hill, Nachingwea District in Lindi Region.
The agreement follows a visit to China by Stamico’s managing director, Dr Venance Bahati Mwasse, who inspected advanced processing technologies between August 5 and 8.
Accompanying him were geological expert, Mr Alex Rutagwelela, and mining and processing engineer, Mr Ibrahim Dauda.
Coast Nickel Limited is a subsidiary of the Ningbo Shuangneng Group, which operates similar sophisticated processing plants in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, and Yangstan City, Jiangxi Province, China.
During the visit, Dr Mwasse and his team toured the Ningbo Shuangneng Environmental Protection Technology plant.
This facility specialises in recycling industrial waste and tailings from various metal and oil and gas industries across China.
The company collects waste materials nationwide and processes them to extract valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, and molybdenum, supporting environmental conservation efforts through sustainable waste management.
Stamico officials expressed satisfaction with Tanzania’s conducive investment climate, emphasising the project’s potential to enhance mineral beneficiation and contribute to the country’s industrial growth.
The construction of this strategic mineral processing plant is expected to be completed and operational within the year, marking a significant milestone in Tanzania’s ambition to develop its mining sector and add value to its mineral resources locally.
