Simiyu. Small-scale miners in Simiyu Region have called upon the government and financial institutions to support them with reliable electricity and affordable loans, saying the challenges have severely hindered the growth of their operations—particularly in gold production.
One of the women miners under the Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAWOMA) in the region, Anisia Japhet, said they incur huge costs running their equipment because they rely on diesel-powered machines.
“We use diesel, which is expensive. About 80 litres run out within 24 hours. If we had reliable electricity, we would reduce costs and increase productivity,” said Ms Japhet.
She added that mining is not a man’s domain alone, noting that women who commit themselves can equally benefit from the sector.
“As a woman, I have managed to educate my children and sustain my livelihood through mining. Every month, we extract an average of 100 sacks of ore, and each sack can yield one gramme or more of gold,” she said.
The Manager of the TAWOMA Mine, Paul Ntalima, said they own 24 production units, but only 14 remain operational due to high running costs.
“Small-scale miners can double productivity if given access to low-interest loans. We employ over 400 youths and women. This sector not only generates income but also transforms lives. With grid electricity, output could increase two to threefold,” Mr Ntalima said.
Similarly, Mussa Kazidijshi, Executive Officer of Ludovic Mlalo & Partners Mine, said their operation employs more than 200 workers and has continued to give back to the community through development projects, including road construction.
“The community benefits, especially during the rainy season when roads are improved and the spread of diseases is reduced. If we get affordable loans and stable electricity, our production will triple,” he said.
Commenting on the matter, Resident Mining Officer for Simiyu Region, Mayigi Makolobela, said the government, through the Mining Commission and in collaboration with Tanesco, is working to address the power challenges facing mining areas across the region.
He said plans are underway to extend the national grid to mining zones to enhance efficiency and ensure miners contribute more effectively to regional and national economic growth.
