Joseph Isangura
Tanzania is moving to strengthen its position in Africa’s mining sector through the construction of a state-of-the-art minerals laboratory worth more than Sh14 billion, a project expected to transform mineral testing services and reduce reliance on foreign laboratories.
Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde has directed the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) to closely supervise the contractor undertaking the construction of the modern laboratory at Kizota, Dodoma, to ensure the project is completed on schedule and meets the required quality standards.
Speaking during an inspection of the project, Mavunde said the laboratory is a strategic national investment that will improve the country’s mineral analysis capacity, speed up service delivery and support Tanzania’s ambitions of becoming a regional mining hub.
He noted that once completed, the facility will significantly reduce the need to send mineral samples abroad for testing, saving both time and foreign exchange while improving efficiency across the mining value chain.
“The government expects this laboratory to provide world-class mineral testing services that meet international standards while supporting exploration, mining operations and mineral value addition within the country,” Mavunde said.
The minister added that the government remains committed to investing in advanced scientific infrastructure and modern technology to strengthen the mining sector, one of Tanzania’s leading contributors to economic growth and export earnings.
Beyond constructing the laboratory, the government will continue investing in sophisticated analytical equipment and strengthening the skills of Tanzanian scientists and laboratory specialists to ensure the country has sufficient local expertise to operate the facility.
According to Mavunde, the investment aligns with the government’s broader strategy of increasing value addition, enhancing investor confidence and improving the competitiveness of Tanzania’s mining industry.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), Engineer Ally Samaje, said construction work is progressing steadily, with some sections of the project reaching 20 percent completion, while others have attained 13.5 percent.
He explained that construction activities are advancing according to schedule and that the project is expected to be completed by September 2027.
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Samaje said the laboratory has been designed to provide comprehensive mineral testing and analytical services using internationally recognised technologies, enabling faster and more accurate results for mining companies, researchers and government institutions.
Once operational, the facility is expected to position Tanzania as a leading provider of mineral laboratory services in Sub-Saharan Africa, attracting clients from neighbouring countries while enhancing regional cooperation in geological research and mineral resource development.
The project forms part of the government’s continued efforts to modernise the mining sector, improve regulatory services and maximise the economic benefits derived from the country’s abundant mineral resources.
