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By Polycarp Machira, Dodoma
The government has started issuing loans to small scale miners through TIB Development Bank Ltd, the parliament heard yesterday.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals, Stephen Masele (pictured) told the House that by April this year 11 artisan miners received Sh870 million in loans, adding that plans are under way to reach more small scale miners.
He said the government has also paid Sh2.3m to the same bank for the same purpose. “The World Bank has promised to release a total of $5m in this financial year as part of the plan to empower small scale miners,” he said.
The deputy minister was responding to a question asked by Special Seats MP, Fatuma Mikidadi (CCM) who had wanted the government to empower artisan miners, especially those in Namungo, Ruangwa District.
He said the government plans to issue more mining license to small scale miners in Namungo, noting that some 13 licenses have been issued by October this year.
According to Masele, four mining licenses were for gold and the remaining for vito.
Last year the government promised to provide loans to small-scale miners scattered throughout the country to help them perform their operations efficiently.
TIB Development Bank Ltd entered into Trust Agency agreement with the ministry of Energy and Minerals to administer the provision of grants to small-scale miners from the Small Grants Programme (SGP) on behalf of the government.
The grants facility is for financing eligible small-scale miners and their operations. This is in a bid to support the development and transformation of small-scale mining in Tanzania, since the sector has been playing a crucial role in fostering rural economic activities and job creation.
In October 2013, TIB Development Bank Ltd in collaboration with the ministry of Energy and Minerals, announced a “Call for Grant Proposals on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Pilot Projects in Tanzania,” in which applicants will have access to loan of $ 50,000 (Sh80 million).
This will be done under the supervision of the State Mining Corporation (Stamico) that will provide technical assistance to strengthen the provision of extension services, like helping and facilitating various feasibility studies that small-scale miners have to undertake before they apply for loans from financial institutions.
It will also undertake geological investigation, including shallow drilling in licensed areas of small-scale miners to give proper guidance in exploiting the deposits amid facilitating and disseminating proven technology in mineral processing and extraction, gold mining in particular.
The government has started issuing loans to small scale miners through TIB Development Bank Ltd, the parliament heard yesterday.
Deputy Minister for Energy and Minerals, Stephen Masele (pictured) told the House that by April this year 11 artisan miners received Sh870 million in loans, adding that plans are under way to reach more small scale miners.
He said the government has also paid Sh2.3m to the same bank for the same purpose. “The World Bank has promised to release a total of $5m in this financial year as part of the plan to empower small scale miners,” he said.
The deputy minister was responding to a question asked by Special Seats MP, Fatuma Mikidadi (CCM) who had wanted the government to empower artisan miners, especially those in Namungo, Ruangwa District.
He said the government plans to issue more mining license to small scale miners in Namungo, noting that some 13 licenses have been issued by October this year.
According to Masele, four mining licenses were for gold and the remaining for vito.
Last year the government promised to provide loans to small-scale miners scattered throughout the country to help them perform their operations efficiently.
TIB Development Bank Ltd entered into Trust Agency agreement with the ministry of Energy and Minerals to administer the provision of grants to small-scale miners from the Small Grants Programme (SGP) on behalf of the government.
The grants facility is for financing eligible small-scale miners and their operations. This is in a bid to support the development and transformation of small-scale mining in Tanzania, since the sector has been playing a crucial role in fostering rural economic activities and job creation.
In October 2013, TIB Development Bank Ltd in collaboration with the ministry of Energy and Minerals, announced a “Call for Grant Proposals on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Pilot Projects in Tanzania,” in which applicants will have access to loan of $ 50,000 (Sh80 million).
This will be done under the supervision of the State Mining Corporation (Stamico) that will provide technical assistance to strengthen the provision of extension services, like helping and facilitating various feasibility studies that small-scale miners have to undertake before they apply for loans from financial institutions.
It will also undertake geological investigation, including shallow drilling in licensed areas of small-scale miners to give proper guidance in exploiting the deposits amid facilitating and disseminating proven technology in mineral processing and extraction, gold mining in particular.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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