By Lake Zone Watch Writer
Newly-appointed chairperson of the Mining Commission, Janet Lekashingo, has lauded the potential of the mining sector, saying it has a huge opportunity in changing Tanzanias outlook, improving peoples livelihoods and bolstering the national economy.
Speaking to workers of the Dodoma-based Mining Commission today after reporting for duty, Lekashingo said “it’s important for us in the Commission to ensure that the environment in mining centres is preserved while at the same time we fully involve the surrounding communities in harnessing the potential of the mining sector.”
“Im glad to hear that artisanal miners are fully involved in boosting the countrys mining industry,” she said.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan named Lekashingo the new Mining Commission chairperson on October 31, taking over from Prof Idris Kikula, who completed his term of office.
She thanked President Samia for trusting her in such higher position, promising to show diligence, honesty and cooperation in the performance of her duties.
“I also thank Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde, Permanent Secretary Yahya Samamba, and all leaders for joining me in this journey,” Lekashingo added.
“Many of you here know I had the opportunity to serve as a Commissioner of the Mining Commission. In know the importance of minerals to our economy; its our responsibility through the Commission to ensure the ministry excels in creating a conducive environment for the extraction of the mineral wealth to benefit Tanzanians and the national economy,” she emphasized.
Speaking at the same venue, Acting Director for Licences and Information Technology, Aziza Swedi, said the Commission continues to strengthen government revenue collection from the mining sector, an activity which has expanded from 346.275bn/- in 2018/2019 to 753.18bn/- in 2023/2024.
She said for fiscal year 2024/2025, the Commission expects to collect 999.998bn/- of which as of October 31, 2024, the Commission collected 354.613bn/- (equivalent to 35.46 per cent of the target).
According to Swedi, the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy reached 9.0 per cent in 2023 compared to 5.1 per cent in 2018. The mining sector has grown from 5.1 per cent in 2018 to 11.3 per cent in 2023, Swedi disclosed.