By Alfred Zacharia
In a decisive strategic move to protect the backbone of its mining sector, the Government of Tanzania has officially introduced new regulations governing the participation of foreigners in Primary Mining Licences (PMLs), a domain exclusively reserved for Tanzanian citizens under Section 8 of the Mining Act, Cap 123.
The landmark change, announced through Government Notice No. 260 dated April 25, 2025, reflects a growing urgency by the Ministry of Minerals to restore the intended benefits of small-scale mining to Tanzanians, amid increasing concerns over unregulated foreign influence masked as “Technical Support.”
Presenting the Ministry’s 2024/25 Budget Speech, Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde pointedly acknowledged the escalating trend of foreigners infiltrating small-scale mining operations without structured oversight.
"The uncontrolled influx under the guise of technical assistance has diluted the primary purpose of empowering local miners. In some cases, internal leadership disputes have erupted, driven by secretive agreements that excluded key stakeholders," Mavunde told Parliament.
At the heart of the new regulations is the formalization of technical partnerships. Contracts between small-scale miners and foreign technical supporters must now be officially registered with the Mining Commission, ensuring transparency and enforceability.
In addition, the regulations provide a clear legal definition of "Technical Support", emphasizing that its sole purpose must be to boost production efficiency and skill development among Tanzanian miners.
Another pivotal aspect of the framework is the mandatory revenue-sharing arrangement between licence holders and technical supporters.
By setting rules on how proceeds from mined minerals are to be divided, the government aims to prevent exploitation and restore equitable benefits to local communities.
Strategically, this regulatory shift signals more than just sectoral housekeeping. It underscores Tanzania’s broader ambition to tighten control over its lucrative extractive resources while building local capacity — a balancing act many resource-rich developing nations are grappling with.
By plugging regulatory gaps, the government not only reinforces national sovereignty over natural resources but also addresses growing grassroots dissatisfaction among small-scale mining communities.
The move comes in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive to ensure that Tanzanian citizens are the principal beneficiaries of their country's mineral wealth.
It also aligns with ongoing efforts to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, seen as critical to Tanzania’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
Analysts view the new regulations as a step forward, but their success will largely depend on enforcement.
Without rigorous monitoring and capacity building for local miners to negotiate fair technical agreements, the risks of regulatory capture or new forms of informal arrangements remain.
As Tanzania strengthens its institutional architecture around small-scale mining, it sends a clear message: partnership with foreigners is welcome — but only under the country’s terms, with Tanzanians firmly in the driver’s seat.