KAHAMA: The government through the Minerals Commission has said it will continue to release daily gold, copper and silver prices to be used in markets and mineral purchasing centers, a move aimed at increasing transparency in the mineral trade and enabling miners to sell their minerals at the actual world market price.
Concluding a training for Managers and Chief Inspectors of Small-Scale Mining from the mining regions of Kahama, Mbogwe and Shinyanga early yesterday, the Director of Minerals Inspection and Trade, CPA Venance Kasiki said the price information would help miners make the right business decisions and avoid losses caused by notorious brokers like Vishoka.
He said previously some miners were selling minerals without knowing the actual world market price, a situation that led to loss of income and entering into unprofitable contracts.
He said mineral prices are currently released daily, so miners have the ability to make the right decision before selling their minerals.
He said the Government continues to strengthen transparency systems in the mining business as well as encourage citizens to report acts of mineral smuggling, where informants will be given special rewards.
CPA Kasiki warned that those found to be involved in mineral smuggling will face strict legal action including prosecution, confiscation of minerals, payment of fines and imprisonment according to the law.
In another step, he stressed the importance of considering safety in mines, noting that mining that does not follow procedures cannot be sustainable, while emphasizing that human life is more valuable than minerals.
He encouraged miners to use the Minerals Commission laboratory in testing samples to make correct decisions instead of using unrecognized laboratories.
He reminded license holders to carry out sustainable projects for communities surrounding mines as an implementation of the Legal requirement of the licensee’s social responsibility (CSR).
The Director of Mines and Environmental Inspection, Engineer Hamisi Kamando said the response from participants was great where out of the expected 400 participants, 370 participants showed up, which shows the great enthusiasm of miners to learn about safety, health and environmental protection issues.
SHIREMA Chairman, Hamza Tandiko said the training has increased miners’ understanding of the mining business, the safe use of chemicals and explosives, environmental conservation as well as the investigation of mining accidents, emphasizing the importance of abandoning speculative mining and moving towards modern and productive mining.
