The Minister of Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde, launched a 'gold mining project' today aimed at empowering youth, women, and people with disabilities by issuing small-scale mining licenses as part of the Mining For a Brighter Tomorrow (MBT) initiative.
The event took place on May 3, 2025, at Ingwe Secondary School grounds in Nyamongo, Tarime District, Mara Region, where he distributed 48 mining licenses to over 2,000 beneficiaries from these groups.
During the ceremony, Mavunde highlighted that the Ministry of Minerals has finalized preparations for the MBT program, which will run from 2025 to 2030, focusing on transforming the mining sector to address challenges and enhance opportunities for women, youth, and individuals with special needs, thereby increasing their participation in the mineral value chain.
He also expressed gratitude to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for her guidance in ensuring that these marginalized groups are actively involved in mining activities.
Also, he commended Barrick North Mara Mine for granting licenses to 13 villages, which will provide technical support to the more than 2,000 youth benefiting from this project.
This initiative aims to improve relations between the North Mara Mine and the surrounding communities, which have previously experienced conflicts over mining activities.
Mavunde added that this historic project, the first of its kind in the country, has garnered significant interest from stakeholders such as the "World Bank " and the "World Gold Council," who are committed to supporting its implementation.
The General Manager of North Mara Mine, Engineer Apolinary Lyambiko, stated that the issuance of these licenses is intended to strengthen positive relationships with the local community.
The Member of Parliament for Tarime Vijijini, Hon. Mwita Waitara, has expressed his appreciation to the government and the mining company for a project that promises to create "numerous job opportunities " for the youth in Tarime.
He urged the government to assist in securing funding for mining operations to fully enhance the economic prospects of the youth and the nation as a whole.