The Minister of Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, has announced that the government has issued Notices of Breach to 95 large- and medium-scale mining companies for violating license conditions as stipulated by law.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Mavunde said the companies must respond to the allegations within 30 days so that the Mining Commission can review their cases before deciding whether to revoke their licenses.
“If they have any justifications, they should submit them. We will verify and, if satisfied, we’ll lift the restrictions. If not, we will revoke their licenses in accordance with the Mining Act, Chapter 123, particularly Section 63, which governs the issuance and revocation of mining licenses. The law clearly states that once granted a license, work must begin within 18 months,” said Mavunde.
The Notices of Breach were officially issued starting April 14, 2025, and the deadline for responses is May 13, 2025. This government action follows the failure of these license holders to begin operations since receiving their licenses.
Mavunde noted that some companies have held licenses since 2011 without conducting any activity—not even bringing a shovel to the sites they were allocated, undermining the government’s efforts to boost development in the mining sector.
“Just seven of the 95 companies hold capital worth TZS 15 trillion that is sitting idle. We cannot be a country that issues licenses to stimulate mining sector growth, only for people to sit on them claiming they are still negotiating with the government or giving other excuses,” Mavunde emphasized.
He added that the requirement is clear: once a license is granted, the holder must commence mining within 18 months unless they have valid reasons approved by the Minister of Minerals through the Mining Commission.
Mavunde stressed that those who have received the Notices of Breach and have submitted responses must also provide a letter of commitment clearly stating when mining operations will begin. If they fail to meet the timeline they declare in that letter, legal action will follow.
“Anyone who fails to respond within the stipulated timeframe should not expect any leniency. Many of them are quick to sue the government, but in this matter, the government has followed all legal procedures requiring license holders to actively develop their licenses,” Mavunde said.
