DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania is stepping up efforts to formalise its artisanal gold mining sector, drawing backing from the World Gold Council (WGC) in a bid to boost transparency, investor confidence and export earnings.
During high-level consultations in Dar es Salaam, WGC Chief Executive David Tait signalled the organisation’s readiness to support reforms aimed at modernising artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), a segment that employs millions across Africa but often operates informally.
Gold remains Tanzania’s leading mineral export, contributing more than 80 per cent of mineral revenues and around 10 per cent of national GDP.
Across Africa, the continent produces roughly one-quarter of global gold output, with Ghana, South Africa, Sudan and Mali among leading producers.
Tanzania’s Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde said strengthening geological mapping, expanding access to finance and deploying satellite-based surveys would reduce speculative mining and increase productivity.
The government plans to map at least half of the country’s landmass by 2030 using high-resolution airborne surveys.
Tait emphasised the importance of traceability systems that track gold from mine to market, aligning Tanzanian production with international responsible sourcing standards.
“There is too much fragmentation in the gold market globally. Standardisation builds confidence,” he said.
Officials also discussed centralised processing centres to improve gold recovery rates and environmental compliance — key concerns in artisanal mining across Africa, where mercury use remains widespread.
By tightening regulation and integrating small-scale miners into formal markets, Tanzania hopes to expand fiscal revenues while positioning itself as a model for responsible gold production on the continent.