The Government of Tanzania has issued Notices of Breach to 95 large and medium-scale mining companies for violating the terms and conditions of their mining licenses, as stipulated in the Mining Act.
Speaking on May 6, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, the Minister of Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, stated that the companies in question have failed to comply with license obligations and now have 30 days to respond, failing which their licenses will be revoked.
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"These notices were officially issued on April 14, 2025, and the deadline for response is May 13, 2025," he said.
"If a company has valid reasons, they must present them for review. If we are satisfied with the justification, we will lift the restrictions. However, if no sufficient response is provided, we will proceed to revoke their licenses in accordance with Section 63 of the Mining Act, which requires license holders to commence operations within 18 months of issuance."
Mavunde revealed that some companies have held licenses for over a decade without initiating any mining activities.
"Some companies obtained licenses as far back as 2011, and to this day, no mining has begun—not even a single shovel in the ground. That is unacceptable."
He further noted that only 7 out of the 95 licenses are backed by capital worth over TZS 15 trillion, yet they have remained inactive.
"We cannot be a country where mining licenses are issued just for speculation. These licenses are meant to stimulate growth in the mining sector—not to sit idle while investors delay projects under the excuse of ongoing negotiations with the government or other reasons."
The Minister clarified that mining licenses are issued with strict conditions and expectations.
"There is no condition in the license that states mining can only begin after completing negotiations with the government. That’s not part of the agreement. Once a license is granted, operations must begin within 18 months unless there is an officially approved reason through the Minerals Commission."
Those who have received the breach notices and wish to respond must also include a commitment letter outlining exactly when they plan to begin mining. If they fail to meet the timelines stated in their own letters, the legal process will take its course.
"As a country, we must make tough decisions. We cannot allow individuals to acquire licenses and then go looking for funding afterward. The law requires applicants to prove both financial and technical capability before being granted a license. Otherwise, it means the license was obtained based on false information."
"Anyone who fails to respond within the given timeframe should not expect any sympathy. Many have previously rushed to court, but in this case, the government has strictly followed all legal procedures required by law."
The Minister concluded by emphasizing the strategic importance of the mining sector to Tanzania’s economic development:
"Mining is one of the key sectors driving our economy forward. Active participation and responsible investment are essential to ensure that the country benefits from its natural resources."
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