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Tanzania set to decide whether to proceed with uranium mining
Deputy minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Tanzania is estimated to have over 55,000 metric tonnes of identified uranium resources across various locations, including Bahi, Galapo, Minjingu, Mbulu, Simanjiro and Manyoni. Despite this potential, no commercial uranium mining has commenced.
Dar es Salaam. The government expects to decide by June 2025 whether to proceed with uranium mining at the Mkuju River site in Ruvuma Region, pending the outcome of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) currently underway.
Deputy minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, told The Citizen yesterday that the assessment began in February and is expected to take approximately three months, although it could extend to six months depending on the scope of the study and prevailing weather conditions.
“Once the study is finalised, it will be reviewed by the Ministry of Environment. If approved, exploration activities can move forward,” Dr Kiruswa said.
The assessment is required due to the mine’s location within the Mwalimu Nyerere National Park, a protected conservation area. Dr Kiruswa said the SEA is critical for evaluating the potential impact of uranium exploration on biodiversity and ecological stability.
“The objective is to ensure that any development proceeds in line with conservation goals. We need to identify possible risks and propose mitigation measures to preserve the park’s environmental integrity,” he noted.
The SEA is being conducted by an independent consultancy firm, Triple E, appointed by the government to ensure impartiality.
According to Mantra Tanzania’s Sustainability Manager, Mr Majani Wambura, a preliminary report has already been submitted to the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment) and is currently undergoing technical review.
He explained that the ministry of Minerals engaged Triple E as an independent assessor to conduct the SEA autonomously.
“The firm is operating without external interference. The preliminary report is now under verification by the technical team at the ministry, after which it will be forwarded to the Ministry of Minerals for further action,” Mr Wambura said.
Although the initial completion date was set for April, revised estimates now indicate that the assessment may be completed in June or July.
Mantra Tanzania, which discovered the Mkuju uranium deposit in 1996, has made significant investments in the project. The site is estimated to contain 182.1 million tonnes of ore with a uranium grade of 0.025 percent, ranking it among the world’s largest undeveloped uranium reserves.
Tanzania is estimated to have over 55,000 metric tonnes of identified uranium resources across various locations, including Bahi, Galapo, Minjingu, Mbulu, Simanjiro and Manyoni. Despite this potential, no commercial uranium mining has commenced.
The government’s renewed interest in uranium exploration follows a 2017 UNESCO-IUCN report, which reaffirmed a national ban on mining within the Selous Game Reserve and prohibited the issuance of new mining concessions in the area. However, the Mkuju project is located outside the restricted zones and remains under environmental assessment.
The 2024 Uranium Outlook Report identifies Tanzania as an emerging player in global uranium exploration, citing its favourable geology, investor-friendly policies, and skilled workforce.
As global demand for uranium continues to rise, Tanzania is positioning itself as a future leader in Africa’s uranium market.
