Mining in Tanzania: Complete Investor Guide for Gold, Copper, Nickel, Diamonds & Gemstones (2025 Update)

A complete, legally accurate investor guide to Tanzania’s mining sector—covering gold, copper, nickel, diamonds, coloured gemstones, mining licences, dealer licences, royalties, SEZ opportunities, and how to enter the market compliantly under the Mining Act.

1. Introduction: Tanzania as Africa’s Mining Powerhouse

Tanzania is one of Africa’s most mineral-rich countries, endowed with gold, copper, nickel, cobalt, iron ore, diamonds, tanzanite, rubies, sapphires, spinels, coal, graphite, limestone, uranium, and more.

According to official publications by the Ministry of Minerals and the Mining Commission, minerals contribute a significant portion of Tanzania’s export earnings, while the Government of Tanzania projects the mining sector to contribute 10% of GDP by 2025 through increased production, value addition, and formalized trade.

Geological and mineral resources map of Tanzania showcasing diverse mineral deposits such as gold, diamonds, uranium, and gemstones. The map highlights distinct geological environments, marked by varied colors and symbols, indicating the locations of active mines and exploration prospects across the country.

For global investors—especially from UAE, China, India, Hong Kong, Europe, USA, Turkey, Oman, Saudi Arabia—Tanzania provides:

• Abundant mineral resources

• A clear and well-established legal framework under the Mining Act, Cap. 123

• Strong government emphasis on value addition and mineral processing plants

• Attractive opportunities through TISEZA’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

• A stable political climate and improving infrastructure

This guide consolidates everything investors must know before entering the mining, mineral trading, or mineral processing space in Tanzania.

2. Tanzania’s High-Potential Minerals

The Ministry of Minerals identifies several priority minerals for foreign investment.

2.1 Gold

Tanzania is Africa’s 4th-largest gold producer. Major gold belts include:

• Lake Victoria Goldfields

• Geita

• Shinyanga

• Kahama

• Masumbwe - Mbogwe

• Katoro

• Chunya

• Mara

• Simiyu

• Tanga

• Dodoma and

• Singida

Gold is produced by:

• Large-scale mines

• Medium-scale mines

• Primary Mining Licence (PML) holders

• Artisanal & small-scale miners (ASM)

Shimmering gold bars resting on a bed of sparkling gold nuggets.

Opportunities include:

• Gold dealership

• Gold refinery setup

• Export trading

• Gold ore processing plants

• Supply chain aggregation

2.2 Copper & Metallic Minerals

Tanzania holds substantial deposits of:

• Copper

• Nickel

• Iron ore

• Cobalt

• Manganese

• Silver

• Lead-zinc (base metals)

Areas of interest include:

• Dodoma & Morogoro (Copper at Kinusi Mpwapwa and Kilosa)

• Kabanga (one of the largest nickel reserves globally)

• Mpanda - Katavi

• Mbeya

• Iringa

• Lindi

Copper concentrate export is rising, and the government encourages local smelting and refining, especially through SEZ-based processing plants.

2.3 Nickel

The Kabanga Nickel Project places Tanzania in the global battery metals map. Nickel demand is increasing due to:

• Electric vehicles (EVs)

• Battery manufacturing

• Global decarbonization initiatives

Investors can enter through:

• Nickel dealership

• Toll smelting partnerships

• Processing plant investments

• Supply chain aggregation for export

2.4 Diamonds & Gemstones

Tanzania is globally famous for:

• Tanzanite (found only in Tanzania)

• Rubies

• Sapphires

• Spinels

• Tourmaline

• Garnets

• Emeralds

• Moonstone

Diamonds are extracted mainly from:

• Williamson Mine (Mwadui)

The government encourages:

• Local gemstone cutting & polishing

• Jewellery manufacturing

• Gemstone trading under regulated Mineral & Gem Houses

2.5 Industrial and Strategic Minerals

These include:

• Coal

• Limestone

• Gypsum

• Lithium

• Graphite

• Kaolin

• Phosphates

• Uranium

Demand is rising due to construction, energy transition, steelmaking, and global supply chain diversification.

3. Legal Framework: Mining Act, Cap. 123 (Investor Overview)

The Mining Act, Cap. 123 governs all mineral exploration, mining, processing, trading, and export activities.

Key principles:

✔ All minerals belong to the Government of Tanzania

Minerals in or under the land and waters of Tanzania are the property of the United Republic of Tanzania.

✔ No person may prospect, mine, trade, or export minerals without a licence

All activities require formal licences from the Mining Commission.

✔ Local content and participation is mandatory

For mineral trading, Tanzanians must hold at least 25% shares.

✔ The State holds not less than 16% free carried interest in large mining licences

Applies to companies with Mining Licences (ML) and Special Mining Licences (SML).

4. Types of Mining & Mineral Licences in Tanzania

Important licences include:

4.1 Prospecting Licence (PL)

For exploration and geological survey.

4.2 Mining Licences

• Primary Mining Licence (PML) — for Tanzanians

• Mining Licence (ML) — medium-scale

• Special Mining Licence (SML) — large-scale mining projects

4.3 Processing, Smelting & Refining Licences

For mineral beneficiation, value addition, smelting, and refining.

4.4 Dealer Licence

For mineral trading (buying, selling, storing, exporting).

Dealer licences apply to:

• Gold

• Metallic minerals (copper, nickel, cobalt, etc.)

• Gemstones

• Diamonds

• Coal

• Industrial minerals

This licence is crucial for traders and exporters.

5. Mineral Trading & Export Requirements

To trade or export minerals legally, you must have:

• A Tanzania-registered company

• TIN Certificate

• Business Licence

• Mineral Dealer Licence

• Trading premises approved by Mining Commission

• Export permits for every shipment

• Compliance with royalties and inspection fees

Royalties (per official investor guides)

• 6% — gold, metallic minerals, diamonds, gemstones

• 1% — cut and polished gemstones

• 3% — industrial minerals

• 1% or 3% — coal

Inspection Fee

• 1% of gross mineral value

6. Value Addition & Processing Plant Opportunities

The Government strongly promotes local beneficiation.

Priority projects include:

6.1 Gold

• Gold refineries

• Regional assay laboratories

• Processing plants for small-scale miners

6.2 Copper & Nickel

• Smelting and refining

• Copper cathode production

• Nickel processing linked to the EV supply chain

6.3 Gemstones

• Gem cutting & polishing factories

• Jewellery manufacturing

• Specialty gemstone labs

7. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) & TISEZA Opportunities

Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) supports:

• Mining-related industrialisation

• Mineral processing

• Gemstone value addition

• Smelting & refining

SEZ eligibility includes:

• New investment

• Export turnover above USD 500,000 (foreign) / USD 100,000 (local)

• Environmental compliance

• Modern production technology

• Location within a designated SEZ park

SEZ benefits include:

• Tax exemptions (as per official TISEZA publications)

• Duty-free import of machinery

• Facilitation of land, work permits, utilities

• Investment guarantees

8. How to Enter the Mining Market in Tanzania (Investor Roadmap)

Step 1 — Choose your mode of entry

• Exploration

• Mining

• Mineral trading

• Mineral processing

• SEZ-based industrial project

Step 2 — Register a company

Foreign and local investors must register with BRELA.

Step 3 — Secure licences

Work with the Mining Commission and Zonal Mines Offices.

Step 4 — Set up operations

Includes office premises, mineral storage, security, staffing.

Step 5 — Comply with taxes & royalties

Mandatory to maintain legal status.

Step 6 — Establish export pathways

Permits, assays, inspections, customs.

9. Why Tanzania Is a Strategic Mining Hub

• Stable regulations

• Rapidly growing mineral reserves

• Government-driven value-addition focus

• Access to global markets via Dar es Salaam Port

• Emerging EV and battery minerals sector

• Full investment support through TISEZA

10. How Zatra Consultants Helps Investors Succeed in Tanzania’s Mining Sector

Zatra Consultants is Tanzania’s leading investment, business setup, and mining compliance partner.We support investors from start to finish, including:

·      Company formation (local or foreign)

·      Mining rights & dealer licence applications

·      SEZ project structuring under TISEZA

·      Tax registration, business licensing & compliance

·      Bank account opening & regulatory liaison

·      Mineral trading setup — registers, export permits, quarterly filings

·      Gold, copper, gemstone, and nickel business models

·      Feasibility studies & investor-grade financial models

·      Compliance with the Mining Act & Mining Commission regulations

If you want to invest in gold, copper, nickel, diamonds, gemstones, or mineral processing, Zatra Consultants handles everything from A–Z.

📩 Email: sales@zatra.co

📞 WhatsApp: +255 747 912 965

📍 Address: Sinza A, Sam Nujoma Road, Mwenge Tower, Opp.

Mlimani City, Dar es Salaam