Mbeya Region Website

Mining: The situation   

       

Geologically, Mbeya region is within Proterozoic aged rock with a diversity of minerals. The minerals include: marble, limestone, pozzolana, sandstone, aggregates, salt, coal, carbon dioxide gas, gold, sand, pumice, clay, niobium, phosphate, and carbonate.

  

Mineral Rocks and Mining Pits in Sintenga-Mlima Njiwa in Chunya

The region has 47 large and medium mining licenses and 355 primary mining licenses. Large scale and mechanized mining are carried  at Kiwira Coal Mine, and Mbeya cement while  small scale operations are carried by local entrepreneurs and artisans in various places Chunya for gold and Songwe for limestone. 

Generally, most of the mining operations are undertaken by small-scale operators using rudimentary tools with little capital, skills and technology to utilize fully the available opportunities. The few large scale operating mining have not been able to utilise the available mining opportunities in the region.

a) Mineral recognisance  and exploration

b) Coal mining in Rungwe, Kyela, Ileje, Chunya and Mbozi Districts

c) Gold mining in Chunya District 

d) Mining technology and equipment

e) Mining support services such as catering, mining equipment supply and maintenance, provision of medical services, transport services, e.g. air charter services

f) Mineral value-addition, especially in gold

g) Research and development, e.g. geo-information services

h) Mining development for other minerals as shown in the appendix