Dodoma. Tanzania has greenlit the establishment of a state-of-the-art Critical Minerals Technology Centre.
The project, which includes the procurement of advanced deep-exploration equipment, marks a major milestone in the nation’s efforts to modernise its extractive industry.
The announcement was made on January 26, 2026, by the minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, after he hosted a six-member delegation from South Korea.
The Korean delegation was led by Mr Seong-Jun Cho, a senior expert from the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM).
This ambitious initiative is the direct result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024 between the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) and KIGAM.
The project is expected to cost approximately 21.8 billion South Korean Won, which translates to roughly Sh40 billion.
Mr Mavunde emphasised that the partnership aligns perfectly with Presidential directives to expand the country’s surveyed land area to 50 per cent by the end of the decade.
He noted that the project will not only involve the construction of the technology centre but will also facilitate a joint exploration of a Digital Mineral Resource Information System and the implementation of robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks within the sector.
A core component of the agreement focuses on human capital, with GST experts set to undergo intensive capacity-building programmes.
Furthermore, the initiative extends its reach to the grassroots level by providing specialised training for small-scale miners, ensuring that local operators benefit from the transition to high-tech exploration methods.
During the meeting, Mr Mavunde expressed his enthusiasm for the programme’s potential to transform the industry.
He urged technical experts to explore how this South Korean technology could be adapted for other metallic minerals, thereby providing more accurate data to both domestic miners and international investors.
This strategic move is expected to bolster Tanzania’s position as a key player in the global supply chain for minerals essential to modern technology.
