By Our Reporter
Kahama: The management of the Bulyanhulu gold mine, located in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region, has assured the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV Affairs that, in addition to supporting various development projects, including those in the health sector, it will also focus on helping the surrounding community combat HIV infections.
This statement came in response to committee members’ inquiries about whether the mine had any strategies in place to assist the community in fighting HIV/AIDS.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV Affairs visited the Bulyanhulu mine, which is co-owned by Barrick Gold and the government through Twiga Minerals, to assess, among other things, the implementation of health policies and strategies to combat HIV/AIDS.
Agapiti Paul, the Community and Environmental Relations Manager at Bulyanhulu Mine, provided clarification and assured the committee that the issue would be incorporated into the mine’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plans.
These CSR initiatives have been implemented in Msalala District Council in Shinyanga Region and Nyang’wale District Council in Geita Region.
Presenting an implementation report on various initiatives, Bulyanhulu Mine General Manager Victor Lule highlighted the development projects, including health-related ones, that the mine has undertaken in the Msalala and Nyang’wale district councils.
Among the health projects completed so far are the construction of the Ntobo Nursing College, which cost TZS 400 million, the expansion of Bugarama Health Center—now capable of serving 50,000 residents—and the construction of 28 dispensaries in Msalala and Nyang’wale district councils.
Lule also mentioned other ongoing and completed development projects by the mine, including the construction of Bugarama Vocational Training Authority College (VETA) at a cost of TZS 292.5 million and the Bulyanhulu Girls’ Secondary School, which cost TZS 822 million.
Other projects include the construction of the Nyang’wale English Medium Primary School, costing TZS 300 million, and a bus terminal in Segese town, built at a cost of TZS 250 million.
According to Lule, additional projects implemented under the mine’s CSR program include the construction of the Isaka truck parking lot, which cost TZS 485 million, and the installation of a 55.7-kilometer water pipeline benefiting 100,000 residents, which cost TZS 4 billion.
He further stated that Bulyanhulu Mine has contributed USD 40 million (over TZS 100 billion) for the construction of a tarmac road from Kahama to Kakola, where the mine is located.
Lule also highlighted a USD 5 million (over TZS 13 billion) electricity distribution project covering Kakola, Bugarama, and Ilogi towns, as well as the construction of 87 classrooms—55 in Msalala and 32 in Nyang’wale—as part of the mine’s CSR commitments.
Regarding the health and well-being of mine employees, Lule assured that every worker has medical insurance, covering their spouse and up to four children.
“To ensure our employees maintain good health, the mine has also established 24-hour counseling services, exercise and sports programs, and a wellness system that safeguards their health,” he added.
Summarizing the visit, Hassan Mtenga, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV Affairs, commended the Bulyanhulu Mine’s efforts in providing quality health services to its workers and implementing measures to prevent HIV infections.
He stated that the committee was satisfied with how the mine’s management has planned and executed various development programs, particularly health projects, including efforts to combat malaria and non-communicable diseases.
