By Lake Zone Watch reporter
Authorities in Tarime District have banned with immediate effect, any attempt by armed youths wielding crude weapons including stones and machetes, from entering the precincts of North Mara Gold Mine with the aim of grabbing gold sand.
Tarime District Commissioner (DC) Col. Maulid Surumbu announced the ban yesterday during an emergency meeting at Ingwe Secondary School, a day after two young men, believed to be intruders, were killed while allegedly forcing their way into one of the gold mine pits to grab gold sand.
“Intrusions into North Mara Gold Mine should end immediately,” the DC stressed while addressing the meeting which was attended by local leaders, including councilors and village government leaders from all villages surrounding the gold mine.
He ordered government officials at the village and sub-village levels to oversee the ban, by ensuring that no more gangs of youths commonly known as intruders gained access to the gold mine areas.
The DC also tasked the police to carry out a full investigation into the deaths of the young men.
Meanwhile, Col. Surumbu said the government would meet the burial expenses of the two men killed on Wednesday.
“The government will meet the basic costs of the burial, being our sympathy to the two families who lost their loved ones,” Col. Surumbu said.
The DC and his entourage also paid a courtesy call on the bereaved families to console them.
The crucial meeting was attended by Tarime District Council Chairman, Mr Simion Kiles, North Mara Gold Mine General Manager, Mr Apolinary Lyambiko, members of Barrick North Mara Gold Mine Community Development Committee (CDC) and local leaders from all 11 villages located near the gold mine.
Local leaders blamed some politicians (not named) for continuing to instigate lawlessness by encouraging the youth to engage in illegal acts against the gold mine.
North Mara Gold Mine is operated by Barrick Gold Corporation in partnership with the government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals.
However, frequent intrusions by bands of armed youths remain one of the biggest challenges the gold mine is grappling with.
Mara regional and district authorities are currently working hard to stem these intrusions.
The new Regional Commissioner (RC) Col. Evans Mtambi says already there are short- and long-term measures for sustainable solutions that will create a win-win situation to both sides i.e the gold mine and the local communities.
North Mara Gold mine has immense contribution to the social and economic development not only in the 11 villages around the mine but also in Tarime district and the nation as a whole.