Summary
Although the Government has established Local Content laws and regulations to increase Tanzanian participation in the mining sector, local businesses must continuously strengthen their technical capacity, improve efficiency and adopt emerging technologies to compete effectively.
By Damas Makangale | Mwanza
BARRICK Tanzania, through its joint venture with the Government under Twiga Minerals Corporation, has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding economic opportunities for Tanzanians by strengthening the implementation of the country’s Local Content policy in the mining sector.
The mining company said it will continue prioritising the procurement of locally produced goods and services, creating employment opportunities, and empowering Tanzanians to play a greater role across the mining value chain.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Fifth Local Content Forum in Mwanza, Barrick North Mara Supply Chain Manager, Mr. Enock Otieno, said Barrick’s mining operations continue to offer substantial business opportunities for Tanzanian suppliers that meet the company’s quality, safety and operational standards.
He encouraged local entrepreneurs and service providers to invest in improving the quality of their products and services while embracing modern technologies to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving mining industry.
“There are three major challenges preventing many local suppliers from securing mining contracts—the cost of delivering services, the quality of products and services, and limited access to modern technology,”Otieno said.
He noted that although the Government has established Local Content laws and regulations to increase Tanzanian participation in the mining sector, local businesses must continuously strengthen their technical capacity, improve efficiency and adopt emerging technologies to compete effectively.
Otieno further urged Tanzanian-owned companies supplying the mining industry to embrace innovation and develop world-class solutions that meet international standards, saying this would enhance their competitiveness and enable them to secure long-term business opportunities.
He stressed that maintaining consistently high standards in product quality and service delivery remains essential for local companies seeking sustainable partnerships with mining investors.
Opening the forum, Minister for Minerals Mr. Anthony Mavunde said Tanzania’s mining sector continues to register impressive growth, making a significant contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), tax collections and non-tax revenue.
He revealed that by the end of June this year, the mining sector had generated 1.4 trillion in non-tax revenue for the Government, describing the achievement as a major milestone in Tanzania’s economic transformation.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a clear indication of the progress Tanzania has made in strengthening the mining sector and increasing its contribution to the national economy,”Mavunde said.
The Minister noted that, for many years, Tanzanians had expressed concern over limited participation in mining activities, with most opportunities previously dominated by foreign companies.
However, he said the enactment of the Local Content law and its accompanying regulations has significantly expanded opportunities for Tanzanians to participate in the sector.
Earlier, while touring the Barrick-Twiga exhibition pavilion, Mavunde commended the company for its continued investment in Tanzania and its contribution to promoting local participation, skills development and sustainable growth in the mining industry.
Meanwhile, Mining Commission Chairperson Dr Janet Lekashingo said the mining sector remains one of the country’s key drivers of industrialisation, value addition and economic development.
She said the effective implementation of Local Content laws, regulations, policies and guidelines is stimulating industrial growth, creating employment, increasing household incomes and accelerating Tanzania’s broader economic transformation.
Dr Lekashingo added that strengthening partnerships between mining companies, local suppliers and government institutions will be crucial in ensuring that the benefits of Tanzania’s growing mining industry are widely shared among citizens.
