By Carlos Claudio, Dodoma.
The Mining Commission has given owners and facilitators of small-scale mining projects operating under Technical Support Agreements 30 days to correct deficiencies identified during inspections, warning that failure to comply will result in legal action.
The directive follows an inspection conducted by the Mining Commission on 128 small-scale mining projects, where 42 projects were found to be non-operational, while another 86 projects were operating but had various challenges in implementing their activities and complying with the terms of their Technical Support Agreements.
Speaking in Dodoma, the Executive Secretary of the Mining Commission, Engineer Ramadhani Lwamo, said the Commission has issued Notices of Offences with a 30-day deadline to owners of the 42 non-operational projects, requiring them to provide feedback on measures taken to resume their mining activities in accordance with the law and the conditions of their Technical Support approvals.
Engineer Lwamo said the inspection was conducted following directives issued by the Minister for Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde, on April 27, 2026, during the presentation of the Ministry of Minerals' budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Among the challenges identified in the 86 operational projects were failures to properly implement legally required plans, including the approved Environmental Management Plan, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Plan, Technology Transfer Plan, Mining Plan and Mine Opening Plan.
Engineer Lwamo said owners of the 86 projects, together with Technical Support facilitators, have been given 30 days to rectify the identified deficiencies, in accordance with the 2025 Technical Support Regulations for Small-Scale Mining Licence Holders.
He warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would prompt the Mining Commission to take further legal action, including revocation of Technical Support approvals.
Meanwhile, the Mining Commission says it will continue conducting regular inspections and monitoring of mining projects operating under Technical Support arrangements to ensure compliance with the Mining Act, its regulations and the conditions of the approvals issued.
Engineer Lwamo has also urged beneficiaries of Technical Support programmes and small-scale miners to strictly observe environmental protection, occupational health and safety requirements at mining sites.
He further emphasized the need for miners to take extra precautions during mining operations, particularly amid warnings of possible El Niño-related rainfall, to protect miners, property and the environment surrounding mining areas.
The measures are part of the Mining Commission's efforts to strengthen the supervision and monitoring of small-scale mining projects across the country, ensuring that Technical Support is provided and utilized for its intended purpose while promoting productivity, safety and sustainability in the mining sector.
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