Dodoma. Tanzania has begun discussions on establishing a Strategic Minerals Centre of Excellence to strengthen skills in mineral value addition and advanced manufacturing.
The proposed centre would provide specialised training in mineral processing technologies.
It would also focus on producing high-value products, including electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems.
The initiative was presented by the BRIGHT Institute of the University of North Carolina in the US during a meeting with experts from the Ministry of Minerals, universities and other institutions involved in the mining sector.
The visit was facilitated by the Tanzania-American Chamber of Commerce (TACCUS).
The delegation was led by the organisation’s Board Secretary, Ronda Pierce, as part of efforts to deepen academic and economic cooperation between Tanzania and the United States.
Opening the meeting on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry’s Director of Policy and Planning, Augustine Olall, welcomed the proposal.
He said the BRIGHT Institute had demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting Tanzania’s human capital development and mineral processing technologies.
“The intention to establish a Centre of Excellence in Tanzania is an important step in the country’s journey towards building an industrial economy based on adding value to our minerals,” Olall said.
“We do not want to produce minerals alone. We also want the capacity to manufacture finished products derived from those minerals.”
Olall urged experts from the Ministry of Minerals and universities to work closely with the institute.
He called on them to carefully assess the proposal to ensure the project is practical and delivers lasting benefits to Tanzanians.
Acting Mining Commissioner Mr Moses Kongola, who chaired the meeting, said the proposal comes at a time when Tanzania is placing greater emphasis on domestic mineral processing and value addition.
“Tanzania has prioritised mineral processing and value addition. This centre will help develop specialised expertise and strengthen the country’s capacity to participate in advanced mineral-based manufacturing,” he said.
The proposal reflects Tanzania’s wider strategy of moving beyond the export of raw minerals.
The government aims to build industries that produce higher-value products, create skilled jobs and increase the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy.
The proposed Centre of Excellence is expected to support research, innovation and technology transfer while preparing a skilled workforce for emerging industries linked to strategic minerals and the global transition to clean energy.
