Bureaucracy, selfishness and incompetency among government officials have been blamed for derailing development of the mining sector in the Southern Zone region, according to senior mining officer.The Southern zone assistant commission of minerals, Mr John Shija, observed that poor response and lack of cooperation from mining officers were among main obstacles for the development of the sector in the zone.
“Many small-scale miners have no mining licence due to poor response and cooperation from the governmental officials who are supposed to assist and encourage them to engage in the business,” he said.
Mr Shija told artisanal miners that there was a need for the two sides to work together and ensure that the national resource benefit every citizen.
He was speaking on Tuesday during a three-day training that involved the miners in the Southern Zone regions.
Mr Shija aid his office was aware that there were many problems facing small-scale miners when they seek mining licences and that plans were underway to address the situation. “We understand that there have been unnecessary long processes when artisanal miners seek licence,” said Mr Shija.
According to him, delay in issuing mining licences to small-scale miners has been a main cause of conflicts between them and big companies.
The Chunya District administrative officer, Mr Amimu Mwandelile, urged government officials who are directly dealing with small-scale miners to change their attitude.
Source: The Citizen, reported by Brandy Nelson, from Chunya, Mbeya Tanzania
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