Njombe. Njombe Region is poised to become one of Tanzania’s major mining and industrial hubs following large-scale investments in iron ore mining and processing projects expected to create thousands of jobs, stimulate local businesses and raise household incomes in Ludewa District.
Speaking in Njombe, Resident Mines Officer, Mr Lucas Mlekwa, said one of the flagship projects being implemented by the National Development Corporation (NDC) in partnership with a foreign investor has already secured a Special Mining Licence after extensive exploration conducted between 2012 and 2013 confirmed the presence of more than 126 million tonnes of iron ore reserves.
Mr Mlekwa said geological surveys also established the existence of other valuable associated minerals, including titanium and vanadium, further increasing the economic value and strategic importance of the project to the country.
“We are currently in the final stages of completing agreements between the Government and investors, and we expect formal implementation of the project to commence within one year,” he said.
According to Mr Mlekwa, the project will involve two major components iron ore extraction and the construction of a modern iron processing plant expected to produce various steel products for use in Tanzania’s construction and industrial sectors.
He explained that the implementation of the projects would also strengthen local participation through the government’s local content policy in the mining sector, enabling Tanzanians to benefit from employment and business opportunities, including security services, transport, supply of building materials, mine support services and other economic activities linked to the projects.
Mr Mlekwa further revealed that the Maganga Matitu iron ore project, also being supervised by the National Development Corporation in collaboration with a foreign company, has reached the final preparatory stages after the investor paid more than Sh4.2 billion in compensation to residents who vacated the project area.
He said the Maganga Matitu project is estimated to contain about 45 million tonnes of iron ore reserves.
In addition, Ludewa District is expected to benefit from the implementation of the Mchuchuma coal project, which holds more than 428 million tonnes of coal reserves intended for electricity generation to support mining activities and future iron and steel industries in the district.
Mr Mlekwa noted that the developments are expected to position Njombe among Tanzania’s most strategic regions for mining, industrial production and energy development, while significantly contributing to national economic growth and improving livelihoods for residents.
