Dodoma. The minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, has ordered the immediate suspension of mining activities at Busulwangili village in Kahama District as part of urgent measures to resolve an ownership dispute involving licence holders, landowners and pit operators.
The directive was issued on April 14, 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting convened at the Tanzanite Hall within the Minerals Headquarters in Dodoma.
The session brought together representatives of the Isunda Group, landowners and pit operators to present their claims and seek clarity on the legality of ownership and ongoing production.
Mr Mavunde instructed the Isunda Group, which holds the mining licence in the disputed area, to cease all mining operations immediately until the completion of an investigation into the partnership arrangements governing the site.
The suspension will remain in force pending verification of compliance with statutory procedures governing mineral rights and investment partnerships.
He further directed the group to submit all relevant documents within three days, including minutes of meetings demonstrating that pit operators were accorded their legally recognised first right to invest before any external investor was engaged.
This requirement, he said, is stipulated under Regulation 18A of the Mineral Rights framework.
The minister clarified that the Mineral Rights law requires licence holders who introduce pit operators into their concession areas to give those operators the first opportunity to participate in any subsequent investment arrangements.
He stressed that failure to respect this provision constitutes a violation of established legal procedures.
“Licences are issued strictly for mining operations and not for subleasing or unauthorised transfer of rights. Any breach of procedures will not be tolerated,” Mr Mavunde stated during the meeting.
He added that licence holders and pit operators must formalise their working relationships through legally binding partnership agreements before mining activities can proceed.
Such arrangements, he said, are necessary to safeguard the interests of all parties and prevent recurrent disputes that undermine productivity and community stability.
The minister also warned the leadership of the Isunda Group against disseminating inaccurate information that could create unnecessary alarm among local communities.
He noted that misinformation has the potential to inflame tensions between small-scale miners and licence holders, thereby complicating dispute resolution efforts.
In addition, Mr Mavunde directed the Mining Commission of Tanzania not to endorse any technical agreements related to the Busulwangili site until it is fully satisfied that no outstanding conflicts exist among licence holders, landowners and pit operators.
The Busulwangili dispute has drawn attention due to its potential implications for small-scale mining communities, many of whom rely on pit-based operations for their livelihoods.
Conflicts of this nature have historically disrupted production and strained relations between investors and local stakeholders, particularly where partnership terms are not clearly defined.
Authorities indicated that the suspension of operations is intended to create an opportunity for thorough scrutiny of the ownership structure and investment arrangements governing the site.
The process will also involve reviewing documentation submitted by all parties to establish whether the legal rights of pit operators were respected before any external partnership was formed.
Mr Mavunde urged all stakeholders in the mining sector to adhere strictly to laws and regulations governing mineral rights, noting that transparency and lawful conduct are essential to sustaining investor confidence and ensuring equitable resource management.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to determine whether mining activities at Busulwangili can resume and under what conditions.
Officials emphasised that any resumption will depend on the completion of the verification process and the establishment of clear, lawful agreements among all parties involved.
