Tanzania

2024 Report

Full data release with tables here.

In 2024, Tanzania was the world’s 5th-ranked producer of natural graphite accounting for about 2% of global production; and the 13th-ranked producer of pumice and pumicite accounting for about 2% of global production. Tanzania was the world’s sole producer of tanzanite, which can only be found in the Manyara Region of the country. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included aluminum, bauxite, cement, copper, diamond, gemstones, gold, gypsum, kaolin, lead, lime, limestone, marble, phosphate rock, pumice, salt, sand and gravel, silver, stone, raw steel, steel products, and tin. Data on mineral production are in the Production table (formerly table 1). The mining and quarrying sector contributed about 10% to Tanzania’s gross domestic product. The combined value of diamonds and gold exports accounted for about 41% of Tanzania’s total exports by value. Tanzania’s main export partners included Belgium, China, India, Japan, the Netherlands, the United States, and Switzerland. Tanzania’s import partners included the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia (National Bureau of Statistics, 2025, p. 32, 85–86, 89–90; Crangle, 2026; Stewart, 2026; United Republic of Tanzania, 2026). 

The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Tanzania is provided by the Mining Act 2010, which was amended by the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act 2017, the Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Re-Negotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act 2017, the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2017, the Mining (Local Content) Regulations, 2018, and the Mining (State Participation) Regulations Government Notice Number 574 of 2022 (United Nations, 2010, p. 7; Blackhall Publishing, 2017; Office of the Attorney General, 2017, p. 1–2; Tanzania Legal Information Institute, 2017; 2018, p. 79–80; 2022, p. 3–4). 

The Mining Commission, which was part of the Ministry of Minerals, oversees the mineral sector; and supervises and regulates the sector according to the provisions stipulated in the Mining Act. The Mining Commission was responsible for the issuance of exploration and mining licenses, mine inspections, and promoting and conducting research in the mineral sector. Tanzania has been a signatory participant since 2003 of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which is a certification system established to reduce the trade in conflict diamond. Tanzania also has been a signatory since 2009 to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which promotes the open and accountable management of minerals and mineral fuels. Most mineral commodities were produced by a combination of artisanal or small-scale miners, domestic private companies, and Government-owned companies. The Facilities table (formerly table 2) is a list of major mineral industry facilities. More-extensive coverage of Government policies and programs can be found in previous editions of this chapter in the U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook, volume III, Area Reports—International—Africa and the Middle East, which are available at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/afric… (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, 2026; Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, 2026; Ministry of Minerals, 2026).  

Commodity Review 

Graphite.—In 2024, the production of graphite increased to 38,140 metric tons (t), from 13,500 t in 2023. The Lindi Jumbo Graphite Mine, which is part of the Lindi Jumbo project, was in Ruangwa District, Lindi Region, and started production in 2024. The Lindi Jumbo project was operated by Lindi Jumbo Ltd., a subsidiary of Walkabout Resources of Australia. The Lindi Jumbo project has mineral ore reserves of 5.5 million metric tons with a grade of 17.9% graphitic carbon for a contained 987,000 t of graphite and an estimated mine life of 24 years. At full capacity, the mine is expected to produce 40,000 t of graphite per year (Barradas, 2024; Tanzania Invest, 2025). 

Production table

(Metric tons, gross weight, unless otherwise specified)

References Cited 

• Blackhall Publishing, 2017, Chapter 123—Mining Act: Dublin, Ireland, Blackhall Publishing. (Accessed on April 1, 2026, at https://tanzanialaws.com/statutes/principal-legislation/205-mining-act.) 

• Barradas, S., 2024, Lindi Jumbo graphite project, Tanzania update: Creamer Media Mining Weekly, May 10. (Accessed July 24, 2026, at https://www.miningweekly.com/article/lindi-jumbo-graphite-project-tanza….)   

• Crangle, R. Rob, 2026, Pumice and pumicite: U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, p. 148–149. 

• Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, 2026, Tanzania Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative: Dodoma, Tanzania, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. (Accessed April 1, 2026, at https://www.teiti.go.tz/historia-ya-teiti/.)