Geita. Tanzania’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has commended small-scale miners for their remarkable contribution to the country’s mining sector, saying their determination and adoption of modern technology have significantly enhanced mineral production and government revenues.
Speaking on September 28, 2025, during the closing ceremony of the 8th Geita Mining Technology and Investment Exhibition held at the Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan grounds in Bombambili, Dr Biteko said the government’s deliberate efforts to empower citizens in the mineral value chain have paid off.
He revealed that between the 2021/22 and 2024/25 financial years, small-scale miners in Geita alone produced 22,014.61 kilogrammes of gold worth Sh3.443 trillion, from which the government collected Sh2.5 billion in revenues.
The contribution of small-scale miners to the mining sector’s overall earnings has grown from 20 percent in 2020 to 40 percent in 2024, while the sector’s share of GDP rose from 6.8 to 10 percent over the same period.
“I extend special congratulations to the Ministry of Minerals and to small-scale miners across the country. You are the reason we celebrate these achievements. You have demonstrated that with opportunity and the right environment, Tanzanians can achieve great things,” Dr Biteko said.
He noted that since the inception of the exhibitions in 2018, there have been major technological advances, particularly the use of modern processing methods such as Carbon-in-Leach (CIL), Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP), and Froth Flotation (FF), which have improved productivity while reducing the health and environmental risks associated with mercury.
According to him, the government has collected Sh3.8 trillion in revenue from the mining sector between 2020/21 and 2024/25, largely due to improved oversight and technological innovation.
He further highlighted ongoing efforts to promote mineral value addition through the establishment of refineries and smelting plants for gold, nickel, and copper in various regions, including six gold refineries in Geita, Mwanza, and Shinyanga, and a copper smelting facility in Chunya.
Dr Biteko urged continued innovation and investment in value addition, emphasising that such efforts would increase foreign exchange earnings and create jobs for Tanzanians.
e assured that the government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, would sustain policies that create an enabling environment for mining, including the expansion of electricity access in mining zones.
He also called on participants to take part in the October 2025 General Election, describing it as an important democratic exercise.
Geita Regional Commissioner Martin Shigella thanked President Samia for directing the construction of permanent exhibition infrastructure, noting that nine permanent pavilions had been completed in the first phase.
He said this year’s event attracted 930 participants, including international exhibitors, compared to 600 in 2024.
Zanzibar’s Chief Secretary, Engineer Zena Said, encouraged mining stakeholders to utilise financial institutions for investment and financial literacy training, while the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Msafiri Mbibo, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enforce regulations and promote safer mining practices.
Mining Commission Chairperson Dr Janet Lekashingo said the sector’s growth was attracting investment in spare-parts manufacturing, aligning with Tanzania’s industrialisation agenda.
Meanwhile, Small-Scale Miners’ Association Chairman Leonard Bugomola requested STAMICO to provide two additional mining machines to boost production.
Earlier, Dr Biteko toured exhibition booths, including those of the Geological Survey of Tanzania, STAMICO, TAWOMA, AngloGold Ashanti, and Mwamba Mining, where he observed demonstrations of modern mining technologies.
