THE COLLECTION of government revenue through the Shinyanga Region Mining Sector from royalties, levies and various fees for the financial year that began in July 2024/2025 is 21.5 billion shillings.
Shinyanga Region was scheduled to collect 26.2 billion shillings, where until the end of February this year it has succeeded in collecting that amount of money which is equivalent to 123 percent in the eight-month period and 82 percent of the annual target.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Shinyanga Region Resident Mining Officer, Geologist Daniel Mapunda said the money has been collected due to various efforts they have made in managing the sector.
“The trend is good, by the end of the financial year we are confident we will reach the target,” said Mapunda.
Mr. Mapunda has called on investors across the country to seize the investment opportunities available in the Mining Sector in Shinyanga region which is rich in Diamonds, Gold and Construction Minerals.
“In Shinyanga region we have various mining activities which include research, mining, processing and mining trading;…. These activities are taking place in both districts, Kishapu and Shinyanga”, he said.
“We have two large mines, one medium and 375 small-scale mining licenses and during the 2024/2025 financial year we have issued 51 small mining business licenses and 21 large mining business licenses,” said Mapunda.
He said, there are also opportunities for mineral exploration and that they have a total of 150 mining plants in areas managed by the Mining Commission in Kishapu and Shinyanga Districts.
He said Shinyanga Region has one main mineral market and five mineral purchasing centers in various areas of Shinyanga and Kishapu District Councils.
In another step, Mr. Mapunda said that due to education on the responsibility of mining project owners to contribute to community development projects provided regularly by his office.
He said, significant results have been seen including increased awareness of small-scale miners on contributing to the improvement of social services including schools and health centers unlike previous years where contributions were made by large and medium-sized mines only.
He explained that a total of 21 small-scale mining projects and five mining projects have been included and included in the contribution plan for community development projects in Kishapu and Shinyanga District Councils for the next financial year 2025/2026.
“For large and medium-sized mines, Shinyanga region continues to perform well in the area of Tanzanian participation in the Mining Sector where to date more than 90 percent of the purchases of goods, equipment and services are local unlike previous years, emphasized, Mr. Mapunda.
