By Our Correspondent - Kilimanjaro
The Government’s drive to promote value addition in the mining sector is beginning to yield tangible results in Kilimanjaro Region, following significant investment by Mega Copper Co Ltd to upgrade the quality of its copper output.
The company has successfully increased the grade of copper ore from one per cent to between 20 and 25 per cent, marking a major step forward in local beneficiation efforts.
Speaking at Kiruru Village in Mwanga District, the company’s Managing Director, Ally Ng’anzo, said the improvements have strengthened Mega Copper’s competitiveness in the international market, with China currently serving as its principal export destination.
He explained that, having achieved the production of copper concentrates at improved grades, the firm now intends to invest further in specialised processing equipment aimed at producing copper cathodes with a purity of up to 99 per cent.
“This next phase of investment will substantially increase the value of our product, widen our market reach and enhance the availability of raw materials for domestic copper-based industries,” Ng’anzo said.
The company currently employs 65 workers — 20 stationed at the processing plant and 45 at the mine site — contributing to job creation for young people in Mwanga and neighbouring communities while stimulating the local economy.
Acting Kilimanjaro Resident Mines Officer, Engineer Abel Madaha, commended the company for its commitment to value addition, noting that the mine is wholly owned by Tanzanians and has emerged as a significant revenue contributor.
He disclosed that the operation has generated more than Sh500 million in royalty payments alone over the past two years, underscoring its growing importance to both regional and national revenue collections.
Engineer Madaha emphasised that the project reflects the Government’s policy of encouraging in-country mineral beneficiation prior to export — a strategy aimed at increasing national earnings, expanding employment opportunities and facilitating technology transfer.
He further urged other investors to explore opportunities within Kilimanjaro Region, highlighting the presence of both metallic and industrial minerals that remain largely underdeveloped.
“The Resident Mines Office will continue to provide full support to investors to ensure the mining sector grows rapidly and contributes meaningfully to the development of the region and the nation at large,” he said.
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