Dr Nyansaho appointed PSSSF Director General

By Lake Zone Watch Writer

Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, has suspended all mining activities along Katavi River in Katavi region to protect the environment from destruction.

The minister issued the order on Wednesday when he inspected mining activities in Mpanda municipality and Nsimbo district council respectively.

"We've all witnessed that what's being done here is against the wishes of the mining law. Therefore effective today all mining activities have been suspended pending other directives from the Katavi Resident Mining Officer," he said.

He directed owners of mining licences to present an environmental conservation plan before re-introduction of mining activities.

Mavunde also had the opportunity to inspect Technical Support Agreement (TSA) contracts between small-scale miners and foreign investors

to find out inefficiencies which compelled Resident Mining Officers to launch the exercise countrywide.

Similarly, the minister directed the Executive Secretary of the Mining Commission to issue default notices to owners of exploratory licences who are not adhering to the conditions stipulated in their licences.

"The aim is to revoke licences of undeveloped mining areas and be given to artisanal miners through their groups," he said.

He said other areas would be allocated for youth, women and disabled persons through the Mining for a Bright Tomorrow (MBT) programme.

Mavunde's Katavi regional tour follows Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba's earlier visit where he directed the Ministry of Minerals to solve problems facing artisanal miners.

Mpanda constituency Member of Parliament, Haidary Sumry, and his Nsimbo constituency counterpart, Anna Lupembe, thanked government for solving challenges facing residents in their areas.