Under the
Mineral Sector Policy of 1997, the vision for the the next 25 to 30 years
for the mineral sector is to have a strong, vibrant, well organized large
and small scale mining industry conducted in a safe and environmentally
sound manner with a public private partnership. The mineral sector is
expected to contribute in excess of 10% of the GDP.
The Mineral Sector Policy Objectives.
The
Government’s policy for the mineral sector development aims at attracting
and enabling the private sector to take the lead in exploration, mining
development, mineral beneficiation and marketing. The policy objectives
are to:
●
Stimulate exploration and mining development.
●
Regularise and improve artisanal mining;
● Ensure
that mining wealth supports sustainable economic and social development.
●
Minimize or eliminate the adverse social and environmental impacts of
mining development.
● Promote
and facilitate marketing arrangements for minerals and mineral based
products;
●Promote
and develop Tanzania as a gemstone centre of Africa.
●
Alleviate poverty especially for artisanal and small scale miners; and
●
Maximize value adding in mineral products before exportation.
The Role of the Government
The
Government’s role in the mineral sector is to provide clear policy
guidelines, stimulate and promote the sector’s various stakeholders and
see to the sector’s general development. The direct involvement in mineral
exploration and exploitation has been ceased; the Government now plays the
role of a regulator, promoter, facilitator and service provider. On rare
cases the government may opt
to
require limited participation in certain projects for strategic or
promotional purposes. The functions of the Government will focus on the
following;
Government as regulator in:
●
pursuing sound economic and fiscal policies that are conductive to private
sector investment in mining.
●
administering the mining laws and attendant regulations;
● Issuing
and administering all types of mineral rights and mineral trading
licenses;
●
Establishing environment, health and safety guidelines and ensuring
compliance; and
●
Collecting taxes, duties, royalties, fees and rental payments arising from
mining development.
Government as promoter and facilitator in:
● Co-
ordinating and establishing consultation mechanisms within the government,
the private sector and other agencies for smooth development of the
mineral sector.
●
Carrying out basic geological mapping of the country and maintaining up to
date information on mineral resource potential for promotional and
development purposes.;
●
Promoting the development of Tanzania's mineral potential by preparing and
disseminating promotional materials;
●
Providing guidance to investors and facilitating contact and communication
with relevant institutions; and
●
Facilitating and promoting linkages among universities, government,
research institutions and industry for the productive utilization of their
interdependecies for mineral sector development.
Government as a service provider in:
●
Providing or encouraging others to provide technical advice and services
relating to the mineral sector to the general public, Government
Department and parastatals;
●
Establishing, supporting and coordinating technical assistance programmes
to the artisanal and small scale mining sub - sector ; and
●
Ensuring adequate operational budget for the successful implementation of
extension programmes.
Legislative Framework
Administration of the Mining Act 1998.
The
Mineral Sector is administered by the Mineral division. The Mining Act
No.5 of 1998 sets out the legal framework governing mineral exploration,
exploitation and marketing. Various mining regulations have been
established under the Mining Act, 1998 to regulate mining activities. The
mining regulations and rules are:
● The
Mining (Minerals Rights) Regulations 1999;
● The
Mining (Mineral Trading) Regulations 1999;
● The
Mining (Safe - working and Occupational Health) Regulations 1999;
● The
Mining (Environmental Management and Protection) Regulations 1999;
● The
Mining (Mirerani Controlled Area) Regulation 2001
● The
Mining (Diamond Trading) Regulations 2002.
● The
Mining (Gemstone Board) Regulations 2004; and
● The
Mining (Dispute Settlement Resolution) Rules 1999.
Licensing Procedure
The
Mining Act 1998 established state ownership of minerals and provides
rights and conditions whereby the rights to explore, develop and produce
such minerals are granted. The Act groups minerals into categories for
purpose of facilitating targeting of incentives, penalties, specialized
skills development and mineral administration. Licensing procedures are
streamlined to ensure transparency to and fairness by conferring ownership
of mineral rights on ‘First come, first served’ basis.
Under the
Mining Act, 1998 minerals are categorized as:
● all
minerals other than building materials or gemstones;
●
building materials; or
●
gemstones