Tanzania to introduce special salt licences to boost production

Dar es Salaam. The government has announced plans to introduce new salt production licences aimed at promoting growth within the salt industry and removing salt from the general classification of minerals.

This announcement was made in Dodoma on Wednesday during a meeting between the minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, and officials from the Tanzania Salt Producers Association (TASPA).

The discussions focused on improving the mining sector, particularly enhancing the salt production value chain.

“President Samia Suluhu Hassan has given clear directives to empower both miners and salt producers to drive growth within the sector,” said Mr Mavunde.

“The government has listened to your long-standing requests for a dedicated salt production license, which will help reduce production costs and formally differentiate salt from other mineral categories,” he added.

Mr Mavunde instructed that legal procedures for creating a special salt production license should commence immediately. 

He also announced plans to revise the current licensing fee, lowering it to Sh20,000 per hectare.

The broader objective, he noted, is to increase production levels, enable local stakeholders to invest in salt processing and refining plants, and enhance the quality and competitiveness of domestically produced salt.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of Minerals, Mr Yahaya Samamba, commended TASPA for its active role in developing and supervising salt production activities. He pledged continued support from the ministry to resolve the challenges faced by industry stakeholders.

In response to the announcement, TASPA chairperson Ms. Hawa Ghasia expressed her gratitude to the ministry for its responsiveness and engagement with stakeholders.

 She also praised President Hassan for her support of the ongoing construction of a salt processing and refining plant in the Lindi Region, a project being implemented by the State Mining Corporation (Stamico).