The Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo
The Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo made the assurance here this week during a meeting with artisanal miners from Simiyu and Mara Regions.
Small scale miners have a great contribution to make to the national economy and thus the government needs to make sure they benefit from their business, he said.
“We will invite large scale miners but we also want the small scale miners to contribute to the growth of the economy through job creation to majority of the population, namely the youth,” he said.
The minister however called on the artisanal miners to change and work diligently in ways that make it easier for the government to lend support to them.
The government was working to uncover more mining sites and reliable markets in order to increase income for artisanal miners and also earn the country more income.
"Stop being worried, work hard… your government is determined to help you in various ways including provision of subsidies, seeking markets and conducting training, as well as allocating more areas for conducting artisanal mining.
“You should not just look at the many challenges related to your activities. You should show faith in the nation by following rules and procedures of exporting the country’s minerals,” the minister emphasized.
He urged them to avoid smuggling the minerals outside the country, noting that the State Mining Corporation (Stamico) is tasked with ensuring that the country’s minerals fetch good prices.
Prof Muhongo however directed the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) Lake Zone manager Amos Maganga to visit the small scale miners’ sites to asses power needs and how they can be connected.
He directed the manager to work on issues within his capacity when touring the sites, and bigger problems requiring funds should be included in power distribution plans.
Speaking in separate interviews the small scale miners commended the minister for his good intention to address various challenges facing them.
John Bina, the President of the Small Scale Miners of Tanzania said that they believe that challenges facing them will be addressed.
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