CHUNYA: The Mining Commission has begun working on its plans to ensure it exceeds the revenue collection target of One Trillion Shillings for the year 2024-2025 set by the Government.
Some of the plans are to increase the management of markets and mineral purchasing centers in the country, the issuance of mining licenses and the provision of education to small-scale miners.
This was stated, on January 27, 2025 by the Acting Director of Licensing and IT, Engineer Aziza Swedi on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Mining Commission, Engineer Ramadhani Lwamo at the opening of the training for miners in the mining regions of Chunya and Songwe held in Chunya Urban.
Engineer Swedi said that in recognition of the significant contribution of small-scale miners in the country, the Government through the Mining Commission has planned to provide them with education on safe and sustainable mining, along with connecting them with Financial Institutions and obtaining loans so that their mining is beneficial while the Government receives various taxes and levies.
“In parallel with ensuring that small-scale miners continue to benefit without affecting the environment, the issue of safety in mining activities is a continuous priority and we have paid attention to it, where we have currently continued to provide training in various regions, including the mining regions of Songwe and Chunya”, said Engineer Swedi.
Explaining the contribution of miners to the Mining Sector, Engineer Swedi said that since the establishment of mining markets and mineral purchasing centers in 2019, the rate of mineral smuggling has decreased in the country as small-scale miners are currently selling their minerals in markets and mineral purchasing centers, leading to increased revenue collections.
“For example, between July and December, 2024 in the 2024-2025 financial year, the Chunya mining region has collected an amount of 30 billion shillings, equivalent to 50 percent of the 60 billion shillings collected in the 2024-2025 financial year”, She said.
Engineer Swedi has urged miners to be patriotic by paying taxes and various levies and complying with the Mining Laws and Regulations.
Director of Mines and Environmental Inspection, Engineer Hamisi Kamando said the aim of the Mining Commission to provide such training, especially on safety issues in mining activities, is to ensure that the presence of mining does not affect the health and environment of miners and the surrounding community.
“We as experts from the Mining Commission want to see miners conducting their activities in compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations and avoiding accidents that may occur and the loss of the country’s workforce,” She said.
Mashaka Fungameza, a small-scale gold miner in the Chunya area of ​​Mbeya region, said the training will enable them to improve mining activities by adhering to safety regulations and reducing accidents that may occur, especially during the rainy season and reducing deaths.
Masunga Mapalala from Apex Resources Limited has urged miners to use the education provided by the Mining Commission to enhance safety in mining activities.
