Deputy Minister for Minerals Dr. Steven Kiruswa has called for the timely commencement of the Chilalo Graphite Mining Project in line with Tanzania's Mining Act. The call was made during a meeting with the newly appointed Chairman of Evolution Energy Minerals, Robin Birchall, to discuss the progress and future of the project, which is being executed through KUDU Graphite.
Evolution Energy Minerals, in partnership with the Tanzanian government, holds a 16% non-dilutable stake in KUDU Graphite, which owns the rights to the Chilalo graphite mining project located in Ruangwa District, Lindi Region.
The meeting, held on December 19 at the Ministry’s offices in Dar es Salaam, emphasized the government's expectations for strategic mining projects to adhere to agreed timelines and legal obligations.
“The President has improved the investment climate in Tanzania. Investors who are entrusted with mining licenses must ensure their projects are implemented as per agreements and the country’s laws to foster development for local communities and the nation at large,” said Dr. Kiruswa.
He further urged the company’s leadership to establish a comprehensive project implementation schedule and tasked the Ministry’s project ambassador, Engineer Neema Mwafumbira, with closely monitoring the project to ensure its adherence to the agreed development plan.
Commitment from Evolution Energy Minerals
Robin Birchall, Chairman of Evolution Energy Minerals, assured Dr. Kiruswa of the company’s dedication to expediting the project’s implementation to deliver the anticipated benefits to the nation.
“We acknowledge the delays caused by previous management shortcomings. Significant leadership changes have been made, including appointing a new CEO, CFO, and Chairman, to ensure effective project execution,” said Birchall,
He also highlighted the company’s commitment to building local capacity by training Tanzanians in critical and underrepresented fields, such as internationally recognized mineral resource estimation experts.
Ensuring Progress Through Collaboration
Dr. Kiruswa reiterated the government's commitment to creating a conducive environment for investors but emphasized the need for mutual accountability.
“Strategic projects granted mining licenses must start on time to align with Tanzania’s development goals. Close monitoring and timely reporting are essential,” he said.
The meeting was attended by other key stakeholders, including Dar es Salaam Resident Mining Officer Gabote Masanja, KUDU Graphite’s Resident Manager Dr. Heavenlight Kavishe, and Engineer Neema Mwafumbira, who serves as the Ministry’s project ambassador.
This initiative underscores Tanzania's focus on leveraging its vast mineral resources for socio-economic development and aligns with its Vision 2030 of transforming the mining sector into a driver of national prosperity.
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