Dar es Salaam. Gold continues to be Tanzania’s most valuable mineral, but new data reveals that the production of other mineral resources is increasing at an impressive rate.
This shift poses a challenge to gold’s traditional dominance and signals new opportunities for economic growth.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the production of several minerals surged dramatically in the fourth quarter of 2024, with growth rates exceeding those of gold.
The NBS report, which outlines GDP figures for October to December 2024 based on the new base year of 2025, indicates that gold output rose by 21 percent, reaching 17.64 tonnes, up from 14.54 tonnes during the same period in 2023.
However, other minerals showed even more remarkable growth. Mica production soared by an astonishing 597 percent, climbing from 8,779.64 tonnes in Q4 2023 to 61,221.15 tonnes in Q4 2024.
Copper ore also saw significant growth, with a 308 percent increase, rising from 2,578 tonnes to 10,529 tonnes year-on-year. Kaolin experienced a 177 percent increase, producing 50,062 tonnes in Q4 2024 compared to 18,055 tonnes a year earlier.
Other rapidly growing minerals included bauxite and phosphate, each with a growth rate of 109 percent. Feldspar and pozzolana followed, with increases of 105 percent and 103 percent, respectively.
Each of these minerals is crucial for various industries. Mica is essential for electrical insulation and construction, while copper is widely used in wiring, plumbing, machinery, and infrastructure.
Kaolin, a soft white clay, plays an important role in paper production, ceramics, rubber, paints, and even pharmaceuticals. Bauxite is the primary source of aluminum, and phosphate is vital for fertilizer production. Feldspar supports ceramics and glass manufacturing, and pozzolana is used in manufacturing Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) and soil stabilisation.
Experts suggest this mineral boom offers a critical opportunity for Tanzania to transition from exporting raw minerals to developing value-added industries. This shift could lead to job creation, increased government revenue, and a strengthened domestic economy.
Deputy minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, highlighted the significance of strategic investments based on global market demand. “Our research identifies high-potential minerals, and we attract investments through institutions like Stamico (State Mining Corporation). The more we produce and sell, the more revenue we generate, which translates to more jobs and development,” he said.
Dr Kiruswa noted that while global prices may fluctuate, the long-term value of these minerals lies in their ability to support strategic sectors such as energy, construction, and manufacturing.
Development economists have long advocated for local processing as a means of converting Tanzania’s mineral wealth into tangible national benefits. Associate Professor Abel Kinyondo of the University of Dar es Salaam argued that merely exporting raw resources has limited Tanzania’s economic gains over the past three decades.
“With gold, silver and tanzanite, we’ve experienced missed opportunities. For these emerging minerals, we must pursue full value addition. This means transitioning from extraction to processing and even manufacturing,” he emphasised.
He underlined that integrating into the complete mineral value chain would enhance earnings, create jobs, and position Tanzania as a significant player in global mineral processing. Independent analyst Oscar Mkude echoed these views, stating that local processing would allow the country to retain more value and lessen its vulnerability to external shocks. “If we can process at least half of our minerals domestically, we’ll not only earn more but also create jobs and strengthen our industrial base,” he argued.
Mr Mkude called for a deliberate shift in focus – from raw extraction to developing industries that produce finished or semi-finished goods. “This aligns directly with the government’s Economic Transformation and Resilience (ETR) agenda. It’s about reducing dependency on volatile global markets and expanding local capacity for inclusive and sustainable growth.”
He added that strengthening the domestic value chain would enhance economic sovereignty and position Tanzania to withstand future global disruptions. “These are critical pillars for long-term, resilient development,” he concluded.
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
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On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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