Natural Resources and Mining in Tanzania

Overview

• Tanzania is rich in natural resources such as land, water bodies, forests, and minerals.
• These resources support agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and mining industries.
• Woodlands are crucial for energy and construction materials.

Land Tenure Systems

• Right of Occupancy
• Customary Land Tenure
• Communal Land Tenure
• Most agricultural lands are under customary or communal tenure without formal documentation.
• Boundaries are often informally recognized by local communities.

Mineral Wealth

• Major minerals include:
  • Gold
  • Diamonds
  • Iron
  • Coal
  • Nickel
  • Tanzanite (unique to Tanzania)
  • Uranium
  • Offshore Natural Gas
• Traditional skills include weaving, knitting, and sewing.

Mining Sector Overview

• Metallic Minerals: Gold, iron ore, nickel, copper, cobalt, silver.
• Gemstones: Diamonds, tanzanite, rubies, garnets, pearls.
• Industrial Minerals: Limestone, soda ash, gypsum, salt, phosphates.
• Energy Minerals: Coal and uranium.
• Construction Minerals: Gravel, sand, dimension stones.

Specific Mineral Resources

• Tanzanite: Found in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks of Usagaran and Ubendian systems.
• Gemstone Deposits: Ruvuma, Mtwara, Lindi regions have chrysoberyl, spinel, zircon.
• Coal and Uranium: High-quality coal in Ruhuhu and Songwe-Kiwira basins.
• Industrial Minerals: White marble in Morogoro, kaolin in Pugu near Dar es Salaam.
• Evaporites and Salines: Soda ash at Lake Natron, graphite in Usagaran system.
• Base Metals: Nickel, copper, cobalt in Kagera, Kigoma, Mbeya, Ruvuma, Mtwara.

Economic Contributions

• Gold and diamonds are key to Tanzania's mineral sector.
• Mwadui area has been a diamond-producing region since 1925.
• Gold exploration is focused around Lake Victoria's greenstone belts.

Additional Resources

• Large reserves of graphite and significant soda ash potential.
• Exploration and development opportunities in various minerals.