Tanzania to improve working conditions for small-scale miners

Posted on :Tuesday , 18th July 2017

Tanzanian authorities, through a 3.7-million-U.S.-dollar loan from the World Bank, have embarked on a program to improve working conditions for small-scale miners, a senior official said Thursday.

Alex Rutagwelela, acting director of exploration and drilling with State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), said the program will address challenges facing small-scale miners, including poor mining methods.

"The government decided to carry out this program after it had realized that small-scale miners were conducting their activities in hazardous environments," said Rutagwelela.

The official said the program will initially be implemented in seven mining areas in the East African nation.

He mentioned the areas as Buhemba in Mara region, Itumbi in Mbeya region, Katente-Ushirombo in Shinyanga region,

Mpanda in Katavi region, Kange in Tanga region, Kyerwa in Kagera region and Masakasa in Lindi region.

The program is expected to be completed in one year, said Rutagwelela, adding that the program will also involve construction of seven mining centers.

"The centers will also be used to train the small-scale miners on different skills concerning mining and other skills related to their activities," he told a meeting with small-scale miners in Mara region.

Omahe Makina, a small-scale miner, commended the government for undertaking such a program, saying it will help in solving problems facing them.

"This program will improve the way we are doing mining activities and subsequently help reduce poverty," said Machera Mwikwabe, another small-scale miner.

Mwikwabe said poor mining working conditions had been a major roadblock to meeting their goals.

In February, more than five small-scale miners died at Buhemba gold mine in Mara region after they were trapped inside a pit following the collapse of the mine.

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