Mwanza. The Nyanzaga Gold Project is already delivering jobs, business opportunities and government revenue well before commercial gold production begins, according to Sotta Mining Corporation Limited Country Manager Isaac Lupokela.
Speaking ahead of the 5th Local Content Compliance Forum in Mwanza, Mr Lupokela said the project's impact is already evident through contracts awarded to Tanzanian companies, employment opportunities and partnerships with local institutions.
"The real impact of Nyanzaga is already visible in the businesses winning contracts, the thousands of people earning incomes and the partnerships being built with Tanzanian institutions," he said.
"This demonstrates that mining can create broad economic opportunities long before the first gold is produced," he said.
The project, which is expected to pour its first gold in the first quarter of 2027, has injected Sh457.7 billion into the Tanzanian economy between July 2024 and March 2026, he said.
Of that amount, Sh371.6 billion was spent on goods and services procured from Tanzanian suppliers, benefiting local contractors, transport companies, manufacturers and service providers.
More than 3,600 people are currently working at the mine site in Sengerema District, Mwanza Region, with the majority of employees being Tanzanians, many recruited from surrounding communities, according to Mr Lupokela.
The company said it has also paid Sh60.7 billion to the government in taxes and other statutory payments, while employees have received Sh25.1 billion in wages and benefits. It added that community investments are supporting local development projects.
Construction of the mine is about halfway complete following an investment of around $250 million.
Developed through a joint venture between Perseus Mining, which holds an 80 percent stake, and the government of Tanzania, which owns the remaining 20 percent, Nyanzaga will become Tanzania's first major new gold mine in nearly two decades.
Once operational, the mine is expected to produce gold for at least 16 years from estimated reserves of about four million ounces, generating long-term employment, procurement opportunities and government revenue.
Sotta Mining is using this week's Local Content Compliance Forum to showcase its approach to local procurement, workforce localisation and collaboration with government as part of efforts to strengthen local content in Tanzania's mining industry.
