Dodoma. The Tanzanian government has given Tanga Cement and Twiga Cement 20 days to hold talks with members of a gypsum miners’ cooperative from Makanya Village in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region, with a view to reaching an amicable and sustainable commercial arrangement.
Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, issued the directive on January 28, 2026, during a joint meeting involving the two cement manufacturers and government officials from the Ministry of Minerals.
He said the government was keen to ensure that the gypsum trade benefits all parties, guaranteeing a steady supply of raw materials for the factories while enabling miners and surrounding communities to gain tangible economic and environmental benefits.
He said the 20-day ultimatum, which runs until February 20, 2026, is intended to compel both sides to sit together and agree on a fair and orderly framework for conducting the business without disadvantaging either party.
The Deputy Minister stressed that the discussions must involve village leaders and recognised miners’ associations in order to lay a foundation for transparency, fairness, harmonious relations and long-term sustainability.
“The government wants to see an arrangement that is equitable and lawful, where industries continue to operate efficiently while local miners and communities feel included and protected,” Dr Kiruswa said.
In a bid to ensure that gypsum mining and transportation activities comply with the law and safeguard community interests, Dr Kiruswa directed the companies to take several immediate measures.
On environmental protection, he instructed the firms to review all contracts entered into with miners to ensure that environmental safeguards are fully observed during extraction activities, including the backfilling of open pits left after mining.
He further ordered that access roads leading to the mining areas, which are currently in a poor state, be urgently rehabilitated to ease transportation and reduce negative impacts on nearby communities, such as excessive dust.
In addition, he directed that gypsum purchases be made only from individuals and groups formally recognised and verified by the relevant village leadership, a move aimed at curbing disputes and enhancing accountability.
Dr Kiruswa also reminded the cement manufacturers of their obligation to fully implement Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, noting that the companies source raw materials from the village and therefore have a duty to contribute to community development.
He said support should be channelled into key social services, including education and health, among others.
The intervention comes amid growing calls for a more balanced relationship between large-scale industries and small-scale miners, particularly in areas where mining activities have a direct bearing on local livelihoods and the environment.
