Minister warns miners against illegal practices
Energy and Minerals minister William Ngeleja said his ministry would take stern measures against miners, both small and large scale, operating without following the country’s laws and regulations.
He was speaking at the weekend in Manyoni district, Singida region when opening a centre for selling and hiring of mining equipment to small scale miners in the area.
Ngeleja said though the government was giving preference to small scale miners, it would not hesitate to take legal action against all those breaching laws and regulations governing mining activities in the country.
He said the government wanted all small and large scale miners to adhere to the Mining Act. “We want all of you here to know that the government has the last say on the mining sector,” he stressed.
Ngeleja also warned some large scale miners against violating mining legislations. “We regard all miners equally,” he noted.
The Minister informed that already the government had allocated 109,298 hectares of land to small scale miners in the country. “We are doing everything possible to make sure that you are given enough,” said Ngeleja.