A new survey by the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) and the Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAWOMA) shows that over 80% of women in the Shinyanga, Geita, Mara, and Simiyu regions are involved in the mining sector.
Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, shared the findings on August 27, 2024. He was responding to a question from Women’s Special Seats MP Fatma Hassan, who asked about the number of women owning mines.
“The survey involved 992 women. It found that 17 women, or 1.7%, own mines. About 67 women, or 6.8%, own mining areas. Around 855 women, which is 86.2%, work in mining and mineral processing. Another 53 women, or 5.3%, provide services in mining areas,” Dr. Kiruswa said.
Dr. Kiruswa highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting women in mining.
“The government will continue to issue licenses to women in the mining sector to boost their contribution and strengthen their economic status,” he said.
According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, about 3 million women participate in the entire mining value chain in Tanzania.