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Security fragile after closure...
2006-09-09 09:38:04
By Adam Ihucha, Arusha
Security in Mererani,Simanjiro District is fragile following recent closure of 17 mines owned by indigenous small scale investors.
Government closed down the mines on security grounds. The owners of the mines said they are unable to calm down thousands of the irate miners who are reportedly protesting the decision that has denied them a source of income.
Consequently, tension has been building in the area, forcing the government to call in the anti-riot squad.
However, Manyara Regional Police Commander Neven Mashayo allayed fears yesterday saying the police unit in the area would handle the matter.
”We are alive to the looming insecurity and have already taken measures to prevent chaos in the area,” Mashayo said.
Over 1,000 artisanal miners, locally known as wanaapolo are without jobs after 17 mines in Block B were shut down following an incident in which employees of the giant firm, TanzaniteOne, survived death after unknown diggers exploded dynamite in a neighboring mine.
Following the incident, the government ordered 17 mines bordering the TanzaniteOne Company to close operations pending the conclusion of investigations.
Reached for comment yesterday, Northern Zone Minerals Officer John Nayopa was noncommittal on the reasons that led to the closure of the mines or when they would resume operations.
However, Tanzania Mineral Dealers Association (TAMIDA) official Sammy Mollel confirmed that the tension and insecurity has been building in Mererani following the suspension of 17 mining activities.
”We are aware of the imminent insecurity in the area. We are working hard to dissuade the youth from rioting, pending the completion of investigations,” Mollel explained.
He, however, said if anything went wrong in Mererani, the government would be responsible because of its decision to suspend the operations of the mines owned by artisanal miners, which did not affect TanzaniteOne.
”The decision was controversial because the government suspended us, but allowed TanzaniteOne to go on. If anything goes wrong at the boundary separating Block B and Block C, the decision should affect us all,” Mollel said.
”It is not proper for the government to create good environment for foreigners and ignore local small scale investors,” he said.
The Mererani area is rich in deposits of tanzanite - a gemstone with a violet-blue hue, that earns Tanzania over $8 million (24.3bn/-) annually on the world market.
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