Government says will repossess dormant land issued for mineral research

Dar es Salaam. The government is planning to repossess dormant land issued for mineral research and distribute it to small-scale miners to increase the youth’s scope of benefiting from available opportunities in the country.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa issued the government’s position in Parliament on Thursday, April 18, 2024, during the Questions to the Prime Minister Session held every sitting Thursday.

Mr Majaliwa was responding to a question from Mr Boniphace Butondo (Kishapu MP-CCM), who sought to know the government's plans to control hoarding of large pieces of land acquired for mineral research and development.

The lawmaker believes that continuing to remain in the hands of the said researchers denies small-scale miners the opportunity to smoothly carry out their income-generation activities.

In his response, Mr Majaliwa said that apart from repossessing the areas, the government plans to review its directives with regional authorities.

“I now direct regional mineral commissioners to immediately conclude the land assessment exercise to enable the government to understand the size of withheld land that has remained dormant for a long time,” he said.

Mr Majaliwa said the said review will enable the government to revoke the licences and re-distribute the mineral land to other miners, including small-scale miners.

“Large areas of land have been occupied by researchers for a long time now. Nothing is being done and there are no recorded outcomes. No occupancy fees have been paid for some areas,” said Mr Majaliwa.