NAMTUMBO: Tanzania’s Mkuju River uranium project is expected to position the East African nation among the world’s leading uranium producers, with output projected to account for about 4% of global uranium production once commercial operations begin.
Project Manager Beria Vorster said preparations for the long-delayed project in southern Tanzania’s Ruvuma region were progressing steadily, describing it as one of Africa’s largest uranium developments and an important contributor to the growing global demand for clean energy.
“Once production starts, the Mkuju River project is expected to contribute approximately 4% of global uranium output, placing Tanzania in a strategic position within the international uranium market,” Vorster said earlier this week.
According to the World Nuclear Association, Kazakhstan accounted for around 39% of global uranium production in 2024, followed by Canada with 24% and Namibia with 12%. Uzbekistan contributed roughly 7%, while Russia produced between 4% and 5%.
If the Tanzanian project reaches its projected output, the country could join the world’s top 10 uranium-producing nations.
Vorster stressed that uranium produced in Tanzania would be used exclusively for peaceful energy purposes and not for the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
“Tanzania’s uranium will support the generation of clean and reliable nuclear energy,” he said. “The government of Tanzania, together with international institutions, has established strict monitoring and regulatory systems to ensure the mineral is used solely for its intended civilian purposes.”
Tanzania is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which commits member states to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
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As countries intensify efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition towards cleaner energy sources, nuclear power has increasingly been promoted as part of the global response to climate change and rising electricity demand.
Vorster said the project was also expected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs during full-scale operations, alongside thousands of indirect employment opportunities in transport, construction, catering and other support services.
He added that the company had already started training local residents from communities surrounding the project site to prepare them for future employment opportunities.
“So far, 100 young people from nearby villages have received training in the operation of machinery used in mining and mineral processing activities,” Vorster said. “Ten of them have already secured employment with the project, and the programme will continue to develop additional skilled workers needed for full project implementation.”
Ruvuma Regional Mining Officer Alphonce Bikulamchi said the project would stimulate broader economic activity in the region through increased demand for transport, accommodation, food services and local businesses.
“This project will become a major catalyst for economic development in Ruvuma Region,” Bikulamchi said. “Beyond government revenues, local communities will benefit through jobs, business growth and expanded economic opportunities linked to mining activities.”
With its sizeable uranium reserves, projected contribution to global supply and anticipated economic impact, the Mkuju River project is increasingly being viewed as one of Tanzania’s most strategic mining investments as the country seeks to expand its role in the global clean energy supply chain.
