SMALL- SCALE MINING IN TANZANIA By: Khalfan Said Masoud 6th Annual CASM Conference Antsirabe, Madagascar

Man and Minerals! “Man defies hostility of environment wars, even death in pursuit of minerals. It does not matter where he comes from, rich or has nothing, the dream is the same, one day he will strike it big and become rich!” Anonymous

diamond, gold, rubies, moon stones, green garnet, natural gas, MINERALS IN TANZANIA Tanzania is a country endowed with mineral resources of all kinds ; diamond, gold, rubies, moon stones, green garnet, natural gas, iron ore tanzanite

MINERAL DEPOSITS IN TANZANIA

TANZANIA MINERAL POLICY The Tanzania Mineral Policy of 1997 and the Mining Act of 1998 provide generous incentives that have attracted world class mining companies to invest in this sector. These policies increased the GDP from 1.1 % in 1993 to 3 % in 2004. Secondly, this Policy has created an enabling environment for local investments in the mining sector.

SHORTCOMINGS OF THE POLICY Poor infrastructure Living conditions in the SSM are poor i.e exposure to health hazards , unsecured mining shafts, crowded and dirt living conditions, unsafe water sources and risk to contract HIV/AIDs and breach of international convention against child labour. No human capital/skills and government support

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS FACING SSM ? Legal Framework for Small Scale Mining Sector : the policy concentrates more in promoting foreign investors. Access to Financial Capital: Formal financial institutions do not support SSM. Access to Appropriate and Safe Mining technologies: Lack of facilities and equipment make the whole process of small scale mining dangerous and difficult. Access to skills capital: Most of SSM do not have any knowledge of geological study of rocks.

TANZANITE AND GOLD MINING IN TANZANIA Mererani in Arusha region is the only place in the world where Tanzanite is found. It is called “tanzanite” because it is found only in Tanzania

TANZANITE MINING SHAFT This is one of the narrow shaft in a 50 by 50 meters blocks where they go as far as 400 meters deep. Each block could have as many as six shafts. Technology is low so collapses occur with loss of life. MINING SHAFT IN BLOCK B

Tanzanite Mining Village What motivates SSM to work in such an area? While meals in some mines are not guaranteed, most of these workers depend on what they regard as luck, which can occur either by snatching pieces of raw tanzanite worth millions of shillings, or by sorting out gemstones inadvertently left in sand One of the 50 by 50 meters block in block B. Notice no technology infrastructure.

2. GOLD DEVELOPMENT OF GOLD MINING IN TANZANIA In the past ten years since 1990’s Tanzania has risen through the ranks of mining nations to become a significant gold producer. It has become Africa’s third largest gold producer. From 1990 to 2005 several large scale mines such as Golden Pride in Geita, Bulyankulu Gold Mine, East Africa Gold Mine, etc. have been discovered around Lake Victoria. Technology is brought in, mostly by foreigners

GOLD SSM AT SAMBARU (SINGIDA) Timber scaffolding is used in the shafts to prevent their collapse. Ore is hoisted out manually by using bags tied to ropes.

GOLD LIBERATION FROM ROCKS Using a hammer the ore is pulverised before grinding it using an iron ball rolling mill.

GOLD SEPARATION After grinding it is then processed using sluice boxes (left photo), the gold is caught by wet pieces of clothes and sacks. The concentrates is recovered by washing pieces of cloth and sacks in water. Mercury (right photo) is used to collect gold (Amalgamating) and by using retort or open flame (fire) the remaining mercury is blown out and gold is set free.

How can we stop the recurrent bad experiences in SSM? The current government drive to expand employment opportunities should also include promoting employment opportunities in the mining sector by providing: Technical support to small scale miners to reduce the risks involved in investing in mining activities which are not commercially viable. Also train artisans on proper mining methods. Infrastructure development in the areas where small scale mining are located to reduce the cost of production and curb environmental degradation. This will also improve access to market and enable the small scale mining owners make more profit. Community based financial support in the form of revolving funds to enable indigenous people to realize the benefits of the natural resources in there districts/villages Political will to equitably share the benefits of the natural resources found in the country. Promote investment in appropriate and safe mining technologies that will improve the working and living conditions of the artisans and communities around mining sites.

THANK YOU