First Mining Drc-Zambia March -April 2020 digital edition First Mining Drc-Zambia March - April 2020 digital | Page 26

FEATURE
Mining Sector
in Tanzania
M
ining is one of the leading sectors
in Tanzania, with the value
of mineral exports increasing
tremendously each year. Diamonds,
gold, nickel, gemstones amongst others
play a key role in Tanzania’s growing
minerals industry.
Market overview
Tanzania is located along the coast of
the Indian Ocean and is a member of the
East Africa Community. Dar es Salaam
is the largest port of entry in Tanzania
and serves as a gateway to landlocked
neighbouring countries.
The United Kingdom is the largest foreign
investor in Tanzania followed by India,
China, Kenya, USA, Netherlands, South
Africa, Canada, Germany and Oman.
Mining is one of the leading sectors in
Tanzania, with the value of mineral exports
increasing tremendously each year. In
2011 the value of mineral exports reached
$2.1 billion, more than 95 percent of which
came from six gold mines. The mining
sector contributes approximately 3.0% to
annual GDP. Tanzania has the ambition
to make the mining industry account for
10% or more of GDP by 2025.
In the last decade, the country has
witnessed growth in mining sector with
reputable mining companies e.g. Barrick
Gold, Ashanti Anglo-Gold, and Resolute
investing in large-scale mines.
Minerals available in Tanzania include
gold, diamonds, gemstones (such
as rubies, aquamarine, tanzanite,
sapphire; emerald, rhodolite, opal,
zircon, alexandrite, garnets, tourmaline,
spinel, peridot, iolite) Iron and Base
metals (nickel and cobalt), platinum
group metals: (platinum, palladium and
Rhodium), Industrial minerals (soda
ash, kaolin, salt along the Coast and
inland lakes, vermiculites, limestone,
silica sands, phosphate, gypsum, mica,
dimension stones i.e. granites, travertine,
marbles, quartzite) and coal resources.
Tanzania is the 4th largest gold producer
in Africa after South Africa, Ghana and
Mali and is the sole producer of the
precious stone Tanzanite in the world.
Gold production currently stands at
roughly 40 tonnes a year, copper at 2980
tonnes, silver at 10 tonnes and diamond
at 112670 carats.
Tanzania is endowed with abundant
natural resources, a favourable climate,
political stability and an excellent
geographical location in the region,
which makes it accessible to potential
export markets in the region, the Gulf
States and South Asia.
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