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Tanzania announced Wednesday that it has awarded licenses for the construction of a mineral smelter and two gold refineries to Chinese companies, as part of the government's efforts to generate more revenue from oil and gas. Mining industry of the country.
Mines Minister Doto Biteko said Chinese companies will soon be awarded mining licenses, each requiring an investment of more than $ 100 million.
He did not name the companies nor gave details of the mining or other projects of the East African nation, the fourth largest gold producer in Africa after South Africa, Ghana and the United States. Mali.
The Tanzanian government has invited mining companies to bid to build smelters and refineries, although the Tanzanian Chamber of Mines has said such projects would not be profitable.
Biteko said 37 Chinese companies had expressed interest.
"After carefully evaluating the financial and historical capacity of these companies, we issued licenses for the construction of two gold refineries and one smelter," he said.
"We will also soon be allocating special mining licenses to two companies for the construction of large-scale mines whose individual investment exceeds $ 100 million," he added.
He gave a televised speech at a ceremony in Dar es Salaam during which Kenyan authorities made 35 kg of gold intercepted after the clandestine exit of the latter.
The government said it had set up 28 ore trading centers since March to improve the revenue collection of small African miners.
"The gold, with a total value of 136.7 billion Tanzanian shillings ($ 60 million), has been traded through the new mining centers since March and the government has collected 7 , 7 billion shillings ($ 3 million) in royalties and compensation rights, "said Biteko.
Artisbad miners produce about 20 tonnes of gold a year, but 90% are illegally exported, according to a parliamentary report.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli said revenue from mining has increased in the last two years after his government tightened controls.
Tanzania has raised 301 billion shillings ($ 130 million) in mining revenue during the 2017-2018 fiscal year – this figure rose to 310 billion shillings (134 million dollars) in 2018-19. It aims to raise 470 billion shillings ($ 204) in mining revenues. in 2019-2020.
"African countries are not taking advantage of their wealth of natural resources, including minerals," Magufuli said. "Our minerals were stolen through contraband or mining contracts."
Gold exports are a major source of foreign currency for Tanzania, which exported for $ 1.549 billion in gold last year, up from $ 1.541 billion in 2017, according to data from the US. central bank.
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