Mbeya. In a show of confidence in Tanzania’s mining sector, billionaire Aidan Andrea Msigwa is spearheading the revival of Sunshine Group, one of the largest gold refining plants in Chunya, Mbeya Region.
The facility, which had been dormant for nearly two years, is now set for a major comeback following its acquisition by the Tanzanian tycoon from former Chinese investors.
Renovation works are scheduled to take two months, after which the plant will resume operations with a processing capacity of up to 500 tonnes of gold ore per 24 hours.
The revamped refinery is projected to create about 350 direct jobs for Tanzanians, with only 40 technical positions reserved for foreign experts expected to transfer specialised technology and operational know-how.
Mr Msigwa rose to national prominence in September 2024 when he sold 111.82 kilogrammes of gold, earning more than Sh20.11 billion in a single transaction, an unprecedented feat that shook the mining industry and cemented his name among Tanzania’s emerging economic powerhouses.
Rather than channelling his windfall into extravagance, he opted to reinvest in productive ventures.
Besides acquiring Sunshine Group, he has reportedly injected significant capital into the purchase of excavators, haulage trucks, and other advanced machinery to expand his mining and processing operations.
He also owns several small-scale mining licences, some of which are already producing, while others await joint venture partners.
Additionally, Mr Msigwa operates another gold processing plant with a capacity of 200 tonnes per 24 hours, further underlining his growing influence in Tanzania’s gold value chain.
His story, however, transcends personal wealth.
It is a narrative of vision and patriotism, one that embodies the spirit of reinvesting in Tanzania’s mineral wealth to create employment, strengthen local participation, and inspire communities whose livelihoods depend on the mining industry.
