DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s state-run State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) has launched a cobalt mining project in Mirerani, northern Tanzania, in a move aimed at diversifying the country’s mineral sector and expanding economic opportunities for local communities.
The project, located in Simanjiro District in Manyara Region, is expected to create jobs, increase incomes for small-scale miners and boost government revenue through taxes and royalties.
STAMICO Chief Executive Officer Dr Venance Mwase said the initiative would allow miners in Mirerani—long associated with Tanzanite—to broaden their activities beyond a single commodity.
“This initiative is a major opportunity for local miners,” Mwase said. “Diversification will enable them to benefit economically while contributing to public revenue.”
Mirerani is globally known as the only source of Tanzanite, a gemstone that has dominated the local mining economy for decades. Officials say the introduction of cobalt extraction marks a strategic shift towards minerals linked to global energy transitions.
Cobalt is a key component in rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems, placing the project within a broader international push for critical minerals.
Deputy Minister for Minerals Steven Kiruswa said the project should move swiftly from exploration to production, including the construction of a processing plant in the area.
“Cobalt has multiple industrial applications, particularly in battery production,” he said. “This project should advance quickly to ensure its full economic benefits are realised.”
The agreement covering three cobalt mining licences was signed between STAMICO and Planet One, represented by executives Ramakrishna and Chinnamsetty.
Planet One Chief Executive Ramakrishna Chinnamsetty said the company was ready to begin operations and would work closely with government authorities and local communities.
Local officials have pledged support for the project. Simanjiro District Administrative Secretary Warda Abeid Maulid said cooperation at community level would be essential to ensure smooth implementation and maximise development gains.
Industry representatives have also welcomed the initiative. Rachel Njau, secretary of the Manyara Regional Miners’ Association (MAREMA) Mirerani branch, said the project could stimulate economic growth in the district and surrounding areas.
Analysts say the move reflects Tanzania’s broader strategy to increase value addition and reduce reliance on a narrow range of mineral exports. By expanding into cobalt, the country positions itself within global supply chains linked to clean energy technologies.
The project is expected to generate employment, strengthen local supply networks and contribute to regional development, while reinforcing Tanzania’s role in the evolving global minerals market.