The Tanzanian government will conduct research in the Kasulu District to determine whether there are enough nickel, iron and copper deposits to sustain mining activities in the region
The deputy minister for energy and minerals, Stephen Masele, said his ministry had already directed experts in the field to conduct the research to determine the depth of the deposits and if they could sustain large-scale mining.
Masele added that mining activities were being carried out in Kasulu by small-scale miners holding licences in areas such as Nyakachacha, Migunga, Nyenge and Nyakitonto, while other small-scale miners in the Makere area were mining limestone.
He added that the district also had other mineral deposits such as opal, agate, limestone, construction stones, sand and gravel.
“Despite the fact that geological reports have shown that Kasulu has iron, copper and nickel deposits, an in depth research to find out if the deposits are enough to sustain large-scale mining has not been conducted,” he added.
He said the government recognised that small scale-mining has also been a big source of employment and income generating activity for people living in rural areas.
The deputy minister added that his ministry would direct experts to assist small-scale miners get licences from the ministry of natural resources and tourism to enable them mine in reserved areas.
