Overview
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. 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. 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.
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 promote and conduct 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.
