Igunga. The Minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, has inaugurated a solar power generation project aimed at cutting production costs and mitigating environmental pollution.
The project, located in Nanga village, Igunga District in Tabora Region, has been implemented by Taur Tanzania Limited, a private mining company operating in the area.
The solar power installation uses advanced technology to generate electricity for mining operations and is expected to reduce production costs by over 65 percent.
Speaking during the launch on May 18, 2025, Mr Mavunde described the project as a game-changer for the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
He noted that high energy costs have long hindered productivity and profitability among local miners.
“This project supports the efforts of Her Excellency President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan in promoting the use of clean energy and curbing environmental degradation caused by high-carbon energy sources,” said Mr Mavunde.
The minister directed relevant stakeholders to initiate a pilot project targeting small-scale miners, allowing them to benefit from solar technology in their operations.
He said the technology will be expanded to other mining zones with the aim of boosting productivity and contributing to national economic growth while preserving the environment.
Mr Mavunde also lauded President Samia’s leadership, saying her administration had made significant strides in developing the mining sector.
He cited the sector’s contribution to national GDP, which stood at 10.1 percent in 2024—one year ahead of the 2025 target as outlined in the ruling party’s election manifesto and the country’s Five-Year Development Plan.
In addition, the minister revealed that large-scale geological surveys are ongoing in Dodoma, Singida and Tabora regions, with strong prospects of establishing major new mines that would transform the economic landscape of local communities.
For her part, Igunga District Commissioner Sauda Mtondoo said the presence of Taur Tanzania Limited in the district has contributed significantly to local development. She cited the company’s investment in Nanga village as a source of both economic opportunities and improved livelihoods.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to modernise Tanzania’s mining industry and align it with global sustainable development goals through the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
