Dodoma. The minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, has called on officials from the Mining Commission to step up enforcement of laws and regulations governing the mining sector.
Speaking during a management meeting held in Dodoma on Tuesday, April 30, 2025, Mr Mavunde urged the Commission’s management and, specifically, resident mining officers, to take their responsibilities seriously and avoid compromising on matters of compliance.
“In the mining sector, setting aside the law disrupts everything,” he said.
“There are times when common sense is needed, but the law must come first. Enforce the law, because questions will always come later. If there are to be different instructions, they should not originate from you,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when the ministry has stepped up efforts to solve challenges facing the mining sector, including conflicts between large and small-scale miners, and concerns about transparency in operations.
In recent years, several reports have pointed to gaps in the enforcement of mining policies, particularly at the operational level.
These gaps have been linked to disputes between small-scale and large-scale miners, grievances from local communities over compensation and land use, and incidents of mineral smuggling.
Early this week Mr Mavunde announced the government’s intentions to regulate large miners’ involvement in primary mining licences (PMLs) held by small-scale miners.
A 2021 study by the Natural Resource Governance Institute showed that while Tanzania has a solid policy framework in place, enforcement lags behind, especially in monitoring state-owned companies and addressing local-level impacts.
Mr Mavunde said the government has provided resources to help improve oversight, including the purchase of 101 vehicles and 140 motorcycles for mining officers, with more on the way.
“I want you to think outside the box about how you can help improve the sector in your respective areas. It should not be business as usual. We want to see innovation and commitment,” he said.
Land disputes also remain a concern, particularly in areas where mining activities overlap with local settlements.
Communities in parts of Mara and Shinyanga regions have in the past raised complaints about displacement and inadequate compensation.
To help address such disputes, the government issued new rules in 2021 giving the Mining Commission greater powers to resolve conflicts administratively.
However, the success of these reforms depends on effective follow-up by officers on the ground.
Mr Mavunde urged mining officials to take full advantage of the tools and legal frameworks at their disposal and ensure that enforcement is carried out consistently and fairly.
The mining sector now contributes over 10 percent to the country’s GDP, and the government is keen to ensure that its growth is accompanied by accountability and improved community relations.
