THE government is preparing to repossess geologically surveyed areas licensed to foreign investors for mineral surveying or mining and are yet to be developed with mining activities.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa made this affirmation at the National Assembly yesterday during question and answer session, indicating that the government has started processes for repossessing the dormant areas.

They are geologically surveyed areas and will substitute their title deeds to artisanal miners and committed investors, he said, noting that the Minerals ministry has already directed regional mining sector managers to review all geological survey licenses.

Especially targeted are dormant large areas that were given to foreign and local investors but are yet to be developed, he said, stressing that the purpose is to revoke the validity of their licenses.

“I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize already given instructions to regional minerals managers to fast track the reviewing of the licenses so that the revocation of dormant licenses commences immediately,” he declared.

Acknowledging that Tanzanians are eager to reap from the natural resources, he said that “any planned decision to deny them this right shall be controlled by the government.”

Licenses are issued as the green light for execution of projects for which the license is applied, not provided to enable seizing investment areas for any other reasons, the premier explained.

Most areas that were licensed for geological survey were abandoned without any mining activity initiated, while others have not even covered the cost for conducting such surveys and for holding occupancy titles for the areas, he elaborated.

The premier was responding to Kishapu MP Boniphace Butondo who said that there has been growth in geological surveys in the mining sector where most licenses on surveyed areas were granted to foreign investors.

He expressed dismay for foreign investors holding geologically surveyed areas for years without initiating mining activities, consequently triggering conflicts with artisanal miners within the host communities.

“The licenses are being used as an excuse for foreign investors to seize large geologically surveyed areas," the legislator said, demanding the government’s position concerning repossessing areas not being developed for years.