Tanzanian Miner becomes Instant Millionaire

Masai Miner Saniniu Laizer with his Tanzanite Gemstones

DODOMA, Tanzania (AP) -  A small-scale miner in Tanzania has become an overnight millionaire after unearthing two of the biggest rough tanzanite gemstones ever found. Tanzania's government bought the book-sized stones from Saniniu Laizer for $3.4 million. He said in a televised interview he plans to open a shopping mall and a school for his community. Tanzanite is found only in the East African country.

Tuige WaKenya - Na Tanzania Ifute Leseni za Wachimba Madini Yetu!

Kweli tunakubali madini yetu yaibiwe na watajirishe wazungu nje ya nchi, huko wananchi wa Tanzania hawafaidiki hata kidogo?  Futa leseni zote halafu waingie mikataba mpya ambayo yatajenga nchi na kuinua maisha ya MTanzania. Ona waKenya walivyofanya! Je Tanzania hatuwezi hili?

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Kenyan Government Revokes Mining Licences


The Kenyan government has revoked all prospecting and mining licences granted during the first five months of this year after complaints about the issuing process.

The country's commissioner of mines, Moses Masibo, has been suspended.The Government has also raised royalties on minerals mined within its borders.

Kenya has proven deposits of titanium, gold and coal.

New deposits of minerals such as titanium, copper and niobium have recently been discovered that are thought to be worth billions of dollars.

Mining minister Najib Balala told a news conference the licences in question had been issued in a hurry and without transparency.

"We want to ensure the country gains from the mineral potential," he said.

"Any licence issued between 14 January and 15 May is hereby revoked immediately as we review each case to determine their nature and benefit to the country."

'Shrouded in secrecy'

Earlier this year, the mining secretary promised to review laws regulating the sector, which currently includes more than 300 local and foreign firms either searching for minerals or in small scale production.

BBC World Service's Africa editor, Richard Hamilton, said traditionally Kenya had not had a large mining sector.

But recent discoveries have encouraged a rush by local and international speculators.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000090202&story_title=govt-revokes-mining-licences

Jinsi Tunavyonyonywa Tanzania!

Yaani nchi yetu inanyonywa dhahabu, almasi, Tanzanite, Uranium na vingine, huko bado kuna upungufu ya pesa! Ni vizuri  ile 'deficit' inapungua, lakini kwa nini nchi eneye utajiri kama wetu uwe na upungufu?  Inasikitisha, kuna watu wanakubali kuhongwa hela ndogo, huko nchi inanyonywa!  Mwalimu  Nyerere alikuwa na busara sana katika suala huu!

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Tanzania narrows current account gap in 2012 -cbank



DAR ES SALAAM Feb 7 (Reuters) - Tanzania's current account deficit narrowed 14 percent to $3.44 billion in 2012 helped by a strong jump in export revenues even though gold export volumes dipped, its central bank said on Thursday.

Total exports of goods and services rose 17 percent to $8.68 billion, while the country's import bill for goods and services rose 5.3 percent to $12.67 billion.

Export volumes rose for most of the traditional cash crops, manufactured goods and horticultural products, the Bank of Tanzania said in its latest monthly economic report.

Rvenues from tourism increased to $1.56 billion from $1.35 billion a year earlier as visitor numbers rose. Earnings from traditional exports - tobacco, cotton, coffee, cashew nuts and tea - jumped 40 percent to $956.7 million.

Gold exports, the country's top foreign exchange earner, edged down 2.4 percent to $2.17 billion. This was largely due to a fall in volumes although high prices on the world market underpinned revenues, the bank said.

Tanzania, with a population of around 45 million, is Africa's fourth-largest gold producer after South Africa, Ghana and Mali.

The value of oil imports rose 4.9 percent to $3.39 billion in the year to December, largely due to a rise in world market prices.

Gross official foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank rose to $4.07 billion in the year to December, or about four months of import cover, from $3.76 billion a year ago.