Deputy Minister Kiruswa Resolves Msalala Miners' Dispute

By The Respondent Correspondent 

Kahama, Shinyanga: Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, has successfully mediated a conflict between small-scale miners and Canuck Co. Limited, a company with a medium-scale mining license (ML) in Mwakata Ward, Msalala District Council, Kahama District, Shinyanga Region.

This resolution was reached on July 26, 2024, during a meeting in Kahama involving Dr. Kiruswa, the company representatives, local landowners, and the small-scale miners. These miners had been operating illegally in the Magunh’umwa area of Mwakata Ward.

Dr. Kiruswa explained that the meeting's decisions were a continuation of directives he issued during his visit on February 22, 2024, regarding the dispute. He had previously given both parties three months to negotiate a solution, but no progress was made, necessitating formal measures.

At the meeting, Dr. Kiruswa ordered an immediate halt to all mining activities in the area, effective July 26, 2024, and gave the miners seven days to remove their equipment. He also directed the Mining Commission to secure the site by sealing any cracks and installing gates.

Furthermore, Dr. Kiruswa instructed the Msalala District Council to conduct an assessment of the land owned by 23 residents in the area, facilitating compensation from the investor and allowing for project advancement.

He also emphasized that the investor must comply with the regulations and standards associated with their medium-scale mining license, including the use of legally approved technologies.

Dr. Kiruswa further directed the Mining Commission to allocate new areas and licenses to the displaced small-scale miners to formalize their activities. He called for continued education on the importance of licensing and land valuation processes, involving the Commission, the District Commissioner's Office, the District Council, and the Federation of Miners' Associations of Tanzania (FEMATA).

Winnifrida Mrema, Kahama Resident Mining Officer, confirmed that the Regional Mining Office is prepared to allocate other licensed areas to the displaced miners, ensuring they can continue their mining activities and support their livelihoods.

The meeting was also attended by Kahama District Administrative Secretary Hamad Mbega, along with the District Security Committee, Msalala District Council Executive Director Khamis Katimba, and the Chairman of the Shinyanga Region Small-Scale Gold Miners Association (SHIREMA), Hamza Tandiko.