Tanzania's Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, has directed a technical review of levies and statutory charges affecting small-scale miners. This move follows concerns over how payments are treated as minerals move from extraction through processing to final sale. The review will involve the Mining Commission, small-scale mining representatives, and regional authorities. Their goal is to recommend ways to protect legitimate government revenue while clarifying the treatment of payments throughout the mineral production chain.
Small-scale miners significantly contribute to Tanzania's mineral economy, accounting for about 40 per cent of the 1.393 trillion shillings collected from the mining sector during the 2025/26 financial year. Minister Mavunde emphasized the government's desire to understand practical concerns raised by miners before deciding on changes to administrative procedures. The review will examine how mineral consignments can be linked to their source, movement documents, and payment records.
A key concern for small-scale miners is the unclear record of payments when mineral-bearing material is transported to another site for crushing, treatment, or processing before selling the recovered gold. Miners argue that receipts issued earlier in the process may not provide officials at subsequent stages with a clear record of payments already associated with the same material. Minister Mavunde has directed the technical team to examine charging points, receipts, mineral movements, and transaction records.
The technical team will establish whether earlier payments relating to the same material can be recognized when subsequent liabilities are assessed. Minister Mavunde stressed that any changes must safeguard legitimate government entitlements while ensuring compliant small-scale mining businesses are not subjected to unnecessary administrative costs. The review aims to balance government revenue with the needs of small-scale miners.
Miners also raised concerns about moving ore between mining and processing sites, particularly where suitable treatment facilities are unavailable within a licensed area. Procedures surrounding carbon transported for elution were also submitted for consideration. Minister Mavunde highlighted the importance of practical experience from small-scale mining operations in identifying how regulations function on the ground.
The Tanzanian government is increasing resources for mineral exploration, with 10 per cent of mining-sector collections directed to exploration to support the identification of commercially viable deposits. The mining sector generated 411 billion shillings during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, exceeding the target of about 351 billion shillings. This represents roughly 117 per cent of the target.
The Federation of Miners' Associations (FEMATA) President, John Bina, supported the technical approach, saying the government should retain effective safeguards while removing procedures that impose unnecessary burdens on legitimate small-scale miners. Minister Mavunde said the joint team would submit recommendations after examining the revenue, legal, and operational implications of the proposed changes.
Key points
- The review of levies and statutory charges aims to clarify the treatment of payments throughout the mineral production chain.
- Small-scale miners account for about 40 per cent of the 1.393 trillion shillings collected from the mining sector during the 2025/26 financial year.
- The government is increasing resources for mineral exploration, with 10 per cent of mining-sector collections directed to exploration.
