Tanzania Urges Mining Investors to Accelerate Project Execution and Deliver Economic Benefits

Tanzania’s Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, has called on mining investors to accelerate the implementation of approved projects, stressing that the country must begin realizing the economic benefits of investments already supported by the government.

The minister said Tanzania has created a stable and investor-friendly environment for the mining sector and now expects investors to move swiftly from project approvals to construction and production.

Government Pushes for Faster Mining Project Development

Speaking after discussions with executives from Faru Graphite Corporation in Dar es Salaam, Mavunde emphasized that investment commitments alone are no longer sufficient.

He said mining projects that have received approvals should rapidly transition into operational phases capable of generating jobs, increasing exports and contributing to government revenues.

According to the minister, the administration of Samia Suluhu Hassan has implemented reforms designed to attract investment and improve the business environment for mining companies. The focus is now shifting toward ensuring that approved investments are executed within reasonable timelines.

Tanzania Seeks Greater Returns from Mining Investments

Mavunde noted that Tanzania’s mining industry has entered a new phase where the success of the sector will increasingly be measured by tangible economic outcomes rather than announced investments.

He said active mining operations are expected to create employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, strengthen exports and contribute to broader economic development.

The minister’s comments align with Tanzania’s broader strategy of increasing the mining sector’s contribution to national economic growth while attracting investment into critical minerals and downstream value-added activities.

Mahenge Graphite Project Under Spotlight

Particular attention was given to the planned Faru Graphite project in the Mahenge District of Tanzania’s Morogoro Region.

Mavunde urged the company to accelerate preparations for the project, including compensation processes for affected residents, which are considered critical for advancing development activities. He stressed that transparent and timely compensation is necessary to protect community interests while allowing projects to proceed efficiently.

The Mahenge project is expected to become one of Tanzania’s major graphite developments and is projected to operate for approximately 26 years. Officials believe it could generate significant employment opportunities and economic activity in Morogoro and surrounding regions.

Graphite Demand Creates Strategic Opportunity

Graphite has become one of the world’s most sought-after critical minerals due to its importance in lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems and advanced manufacturing technologies.

As global demand for energy transition minerals continues to rise, Tanzania is positioning itself as a key supplier within international critical mineral supply chains.

The country possesses some of Africa’s largest graphite deposits and has been actively promoting investment in projects that can support both mining production and local value addition.

Shift From Licensing to Production

Mavunde reiterated that the government’s objective is to ensure licensed mining projects move beyond administrative approvals and become fully operational enterprises that generate measurable benefits for Tanzanians.

He said the Ministry of Minerals will continue engaging directly with investors to monitor project progress and encourage timely implementation.

The minister has consistently advocated for greater industrialization and local processing across Africa’s mining sector, arguing that resource-rich nations must capture more value from their mineral wealth rather than relying solely on raw material exports.

Mining Sector Central to Tanzania’s Growth Strategy

Mining remains one of Tanzania’s most important economic sectors, contributing significantly to exports, foreign exchange earnings and investment inflows.

The government has recently intensified efforts to attract investment into strategic minerals including graphite, nickel, rare earth elements and gold, while simultaneously promoting policies that support local beneficiation and industrial development.

Industry analysts believe that successful implementation of major projects such as Mahenge could strengthen Tanzania’s position as a leading mining destination in Africa while supporting long-term economic transformation.

Investors Expected to Match Government Reforms

The minister concluded that Tanzania has already taken substantial steps to improve the investment environment and reduce barriers to business development.

He said the responsibility now lies with investors to move projects into execution and deliver the employment, export growth and economic benefits envisioned when investments were first approved.

As global demand for critical minerals continues to accelerate, Tanzania is seeking to ensure that approved mining projects translate into real economic gains for communities, businesses and the national economy.