Kerege, Bagamoyo – Pwani Region: The Minister of Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde, has stated that the local production of goods used in mining operations marks a significant step toward increasing Tanzanian participation in the mining sector’s value chain. He further outlined the objective of transforming Tanzania into a regional hub for the manufacturing of mining products and equipment.
Minister Mavunde made these remarks on October 17, 2026, while officially inaugurating a wire mesh manufacturing plant operated by Geofields Tanzania Limited—through its division, Geofields Underground Support (GUS)—located in Kerege, Bagamoyo District, Pwani Region.
He emphasized that the Government will continue to foster an enabling environment for domestic investors, aiming to enhance the capacity of Tanzanian companies to produce goods and provide services that meet the needs of local mines, as well as those in regional and international markets.
He commended the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, for the directives and vision that have bolstered the mining sector and increased its contribution to the national economy. This includes the directive to allocate 10% of the revenue generated from the mining sector toward comprehensive mineral exploration, funded through domestic resources.
Addressing the participation of Tanzanians in the sector, Minister Mavunde stated that the Mining Act stipulates requirements regarding the procurement of goods and services from Tanzanian companies, as well as partnerships between local and foreign firms in instances where the capacity to provide specific services has not yet been developed domestically.
Consequently, he has directed the Mining Commission—in collaboration with the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)—to audit companies that have entered into joint ventures, in order to verify that they are conducting the activities for which they are registered and are complying with the prescribed requirements.
Minister Mavunde noted that approximately 5.1 trillion shillings within the mining sector’s procurement chain are concentrated among no more than six companies. He urged Tanzanians to prepare to seize available opportunities by increasing their capital, joining forces, and reducing fragmentation within the business landscape.
He has instructed the Mining Commission to explore the best approaches for consolidating Tanzanian companies to enhance their financial strength and competitiveness. Furthermore, he highlighted that the Credit Guarantee Scheme—established by the Bank of Tanzania—is one of the mechanisms that can assist Tanzanians in accessing greater opportunities to participate in the mining sector’s value chain.
Speaking at the event, Denis Dillip, Founder and Director of Geofields Tanzania Limited, stated that the factory has the capacity to produce 100,000 units of wire mesh annually—a volume sufficient to meet the demands of the country’s mining sector.
Dillip added that the company aims to expand its competitiveness within the East African market and has already established a branch in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He noted that the factory produces goods designed to meet international standards and employs specialists who received professional training in China and Australia.
For his part, the Pwani Regional Commissioner, Hon. Stanislaus Nyongo, stated that the region hosts a total of 1,768 large and small-scale industrial facilities—including the Geofields plant—emphasizing that such investments strengthen Pwani’s position as a key hub for industrial activity in the country.
Hon. Subira Mgalu, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals, stated that Parliament continues to emphasize the importance of Tanzanian participation in the mining sector. She urged the company to prioritize residents of Kerege for employment opportunities arising from this investment.
The Chairperson of the Mining Commission, Dr. Janeth Reuben Lekashingo stated that the success of the mining sector should not be measured solely by the volume of minerals extracted, but also by the growth of Tanzanian companies, the creation of jobs, and the establishment of industrial facilities.
She noted that the inclusion of Tanzanians should focus on building the capacity of local firms, facilitating the transfer of technology and expertise, and boosting industrial production to maximize the mining sector’s contribution to the national economy.
The launch of the Geofields Tanzania Limited facility is part of an effort to increase the domestic production of goods used in mining operations, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen the capacity of Tanzanian companies to participate in the mining sector’s value chain—while also enabling locally manufactured products to compete in regional and international markets.
