Cape Town: Tanzania has formalised a partnership with Finland to enhance geological research and boost the quality of mineral data, part of a broader strategy to attract large-scale mining investment.
The memorandum of understanding between the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) aims to strengthen technical capacity, improve laboratory operations, and conduct high-resolution geophysical surveys.
Mining Minister Anthony Mavunde said the deal would modernise Tanzania’s mining sector and align it with international standards, supporting sustainable resource management and in-country value addition.
Finnish experts will work closely with Tanzanian colleagues to validate data and improve sample testing to international norms.
The agreement follows discussions with the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on cooperation in critical minerals, including airborne geophysical surveys and gemstone research.
Global miner Rio Tinto also expressed interest in Tanzania’s copper, bauxite, and graphite potential, citing infrastructure improvements such as the Standard Gauge Railway and TAZARA rail link, along with favourable mining legislation, as reasons for investor confidence.