The Minister for Minerals in Tanzania, Dr Doto Biteko has issued a three month ultimatum to the Mining Commission to conduct a thorough assessment and revoke all licences of non-developed large coal mines.
Biteko issued the instructions while responding to a statement from Ruvuma Regional Commissioner, Colonel Laban Thomas, who said there are some companies and private individuals who are holding enveloped coal plants despite the huge demand in the market.
His instructions have come as part of implementation of the global resolution that seeks to use coal as a source of energy before moving to green technology, as it was discussed during the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) held in Sharm El-Sheikh city in Egypt.
He also assured of the government’s commitment to continue addressing challenges facing the mining sector for the sake of empowering miners and enabling the country to increase its revenues from the sector.
The minister said since there is a limit for the use of coal, the government makes better use of the opportunity by increasing production of the coal in a bid to create more employment from the mineral sector.
Speaking on the contribution of coal into the national economy, Dr Biteko said in the fiscal year 20121/22, a total of 1.47 million tonnes of coal worth 485.5bn/- was produced from the Ruvuma region.
He further explained that in the current financial year 2022/23, until September this year Ruvuma region recorded a production of 764,816.15 tonnes of coal worth 287.5bn/-, Songwe with 4,587.9 tonnes valued at 331.3m/-, and Njombe region-a total of 444.41 tonnes valued at 47m/-.
“These records show that Ruvuma region has recorded a high production of coal as a result of generating high income from coal mines,” he noted, reminding all investors in the mining sector to fulfill the obligation of paying government tax and adherence to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).