Tanzania
Mining Act
Chapter 123
- Published in Tanzania Government Gazette 22 on 28 May 2010
- Assented to on 20 May 2010
- Commenced on 1 November 2010 by Mining (Commencement) Notice, 2010
- [This is the version of this document as it was at 30 November 2019 to 30 June 2020.]
- [Note: This legislation has been thoroughly revised and consolidated under the supervision of the Attorney General's Office, in compliance with the Laws Revision Act No. 7 of 1994, the Revised Laws and Annual Revision Act (Chapter 356 (R.L.)), and the Interpretation of Laws and General Clauses Act No. 30 of 1972. This version is up-to-date as at 31st July 2002.]
- [Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Act, 2010 (Act 17 of 2010) on 6 August 2010]
- [Amended by Tanzania Extractive Industries (Transparency and Accountability) Act, 2015 (Act 23 of 2015) on 25 September 2015]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2017 (Act 4 of 2017) on 1 July 2017]
- [Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2017 (Act 7 of 2017) on 7 July 2017]
- [Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Act, 2017 (Act 9 of 2017) on 13 October 2017]
- [Amended by Finance Act, 2018 (Act 4 of 2018) on 1 July 2018]
- [Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Act, 2019 (Act 6 of 2019) on 22 February 2019]
- [Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 7) Act, 2019 (Act 14 of 2019) on 22 November 2019]
Part I – Preliminary provisions
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Mining Act.2. Application
This Act shall apply to Tanzania Mainland.3. Disapplication to petroleum
This Act does not apply to exploration for or production of petroleum.4. Interpretation
Part II – General principles
5. Ownership of minerals and government lien
5A. Declaration of mining controlled areas
6. Authority required for prospecting or mining
7. Mineral rights and exclusivity
8. Restriction on grant of mineral rights
9. Mineral rights transferable
10. State participation
11. Review and renegotiation of development agreements
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act and any other written law, all development agreements concluded prior to the coming into force of this section shall, subject to the provisions of the Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Renegotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act, remain in force.[Acts Nos. 23 of 2015 s. 32; 7 of 2017 s. 10; 6 of 2017; Cap. 450]12. ***
[Repealed by Act No. 7 of 2017]13. Joint and several obligations
Where a mineral right is granted to, or held by, more than one person, any obligation under this Act, the Regulations or a relevant development agreement which is to be observed and performed by the holder shall be a joint and several obligation of the persons who constitute the holder save where the terms and conditions of that mineral right or a relevant development agreement otherwise provide.14. Priority between competing applications
15. Applications for mineral rights by tender
16. Exclusive areas for primary licenses
Where the Minister, after consultation with the Commission, determines that it would be in the interests of the orderly development of the mining industry in Tanzania, he may, by order published in the Gazette17. Specified gemstone
Where the Minister after consultation with the Commission, determines that it would be in the interests of the development of the gemstone industry in Tanzania, he may by order published in the Gazette, designate any gemstone to be a specified gemstone for special conditions on mining trading and disposal.18. Offences relating to unauthorized trading of minerals
18A. Restriction on exportation or domestic use of minerals
Notwithstanding any provision of this Act, a person shall not remove or cause to be removed mineral or minerals from a mine for the purpose of export or domestic use unless that person fulfills the conditions specified under section 90A.[Act No. 4 of 2017 s. 35; Cap. 4 s. 8]Part III – Administration
19. Role of Minister
The Minister shall be responsible for:20. Commissioner for Minerals
There shall be appointed by the President a suitably qualified public officer to be a Commissioner for Minerals who shall be responsible for advising the Minister on all matters relating to the mining sector.21. Establishment of Mining Commission
22. Functions of Commission
The functions of the Commission shall be to:23. Committees of Commission
24. Executive Secretary
25. Appointment of staff of Commission
26. Provisions relating to disclosure of information
27. Mines Resident Officer
27A. Geological Survey of Tanzania
27B. Geological survey, mapping and prospecting
The Geological Survey of Tanzania shall, for the purpose of carrying out the geological mapping of Tanzania—27C. Establishment of Tanzania Gem and Minerals Houses
27D. Establishment of National Gold and Gemstone Reserve
27E. Establishment of Government Minerals Warehouse
27F. Establishment of National Mineral Resources Data Bank
27G. Mining Cadastre
27H. Indemnity
An officer of the Commission or committee shall not be liable for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in the performance or purported performance of any function vested in that officer by, or in accordance with an appointment made under this Act.[Act No. 7 of 2017 s. 12; Cap. 4 s. 8]Part IV – Mineral rights
Division A: Prospecting licence
28. Application for prospecting licence
29. Prospecting licence by tender
30. Minimum expenditure
31. Condition for grant of prospecting licence
An applicant for a prospecting licence whose application was properly made under section 28 and an applicant whose application has been declared to be a successful application under section 29 shall be entitled to the grant of a prospecting licence for which he has applied unless—32. Grant and renewal of prospecting licence
33. Notification of grants
34. Content of prospecting licence
35. Rights of holder of prospecting licence
36. Obligations of holder of prospecting licence
37. ***
[Repealed by Act No. 7 of 2017 s. 16]38. ***
[Repealed by Act No. 7 of 2017 s. 16]Division B: Special mining licence and mining licence
(i) Applications for special mining licence and mining licence
39. Applicants
40. ***
[Repealed Act No. 23 of 2015 s. 41](ii) Special mining licence
41. Application for special mining licence
42. Grant of special mining licence
43. Duration of special mining licence
A special mining licence granted to an entitled applicant shall be for the estimated life of the ore body indicated in the feasibility study report, or such period as the applicant may request whichever period is shorter.44. Content of special mining licence
A special mining licence shall—45. Renewal of special mining licence
46. Rights of holder of special mining licence
A special mining licence confers on the holder the exclusive right, subject to this Act and the Regulations, to carry on mining operations in the mining area for minerals as specified in the licence, and for that purpose the holder, his servants and agents may, in particular—47. Obligations of holder of special mining licence
Subject to the provisions of this Act and the regulations, the holder of a special mining licence shall, as a condition of the licence—48. Amendment of special mining licence by holder
(iii) Mining licence
49. Application for mining licence
50. Grant of mining licence
51. Rights of holder of mining licences
A mining licence confers on the holder the exclusive right, subject to this Act and the Regulations, to carry on mining operations in the mining area for the stated minerals, and for that purpose the holder, his servants and agents may, in particular—52. Obligations of holder of mining licences
Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Regulations the holder of a mining licence shall—53. Renewal of mining licence
Division C: Primary mining licences
54. Application for primary mining licence
55. Grant and validity of primary mining licence
56. Renewal of primary mining licence
57. Allocation of primary mining licences to mine in exclusive primary area
58. Conversion of primary mining licences to mining licences
Division D: Mineral processing, smelting and refining
59. Mineral right holder to set aside minerals for processing, smelting or refining
The mineral right holder shall be required to set aside certain amount of minerals at such percentage as the Minister may, after consultation with the mineral right holder and the Commission, determine for processing, smelting or refining within the United Republic.60. Application and grant of licence for processing minerals
61. Application and grant of licence for smelting or refining minerals
Division E: Supplementary provisions affecting mineral rights
62. Surrender of land subject to mineral right
63. Suspension and cancellation of mineral right
64. Abandonment of land subject to mineral rights
65. Appeals
66. Penalty for failure to pay royalty
67. Extension of mineral rights during applications
Where the holder—68. Enlargement of mineral right
69. Holder of certain mineral right suspending mining operations
70. Maximum area for mineral rights
The maximum area for which a mineral right may be granted shall be prescribed and for that purpose the regulations may prescribe different maximum areas for different minerals and in respect of different mineral rights.71. Allocation of mining licence by tender
72. Termination of mining licence where production is insufficient
Part V – Licences for dealing in mineral or minerals
(i) Dealer licence
73. Application for dealer licence
74. Grant of dealer licence
75. Duration and renewal of dealer licence
76. Rights of holder of dealer licence
Subject to the provisions and the regulations made under this Act, a dealer licence shall authorize the holder-77. Holder to keep records and accounts
The holder of a dealer licence shall keep full and accurate records and accounts of all transactions undertaken by him as a dealer and such records and accounts shall—78. Minimum turnover requirements
79. Termination of dealer licence for default
Where the holder of a dealer licence is in default the Commission may serve on the holder a default notice specifying the nature of the default and if within thirty days from the date of receipt of the default notice, the default has not been corrected the Commission shall, by notice to the holder terminate the dealer licence.[Acts Nos. 23 of 2015 s. 51; 7 of 2017 s. 3A](ii) Broker licence
80. Application for broker licence
81. Grant of broker licence
82. Duration and renewal of broker licence
83. Rights of holder of broker licence
84. Holder to keep records and accounts
The holder of a broker licence shall keep full and accurate records and accounts of all transactions undertaken by him as a broker and such records and accounts shall—85. Termination of broker licence for default
86. Prohibition against dealing in certain minerals
A person shall not be eligible for grant of a licence as a broker or a dealer in uranium minerals.[Act No. 23 of 2015 s. 52](iii) Minerals import permit
86A. Minerals import permit
86B. Regulations on importation of minerals
(iv) Lapidary license
86C. Lapidary licence
86D. Application large lapidary licence
86E. Grant of large lapidary licence
86F. Duration of large lapidary licence and renewal
86G. Rights and obligations of holder of large lapidary licence
86H. Termination of large lapidary licence
86I. Application for small lapidary licence
86J. Grant of small lapidary licence
86K. Duration and renewal of small lapidary licence
86L. Rights and obligation of small lapidary licence
86M. Termination of small lapidary licence
Part VI – Royalties, fees and other charges
87. Royalties
88. Payment in lieu of royalties
89. Provisional assessment of royalties
90. Sorting fees
90A. Clearance centres
91. Prohibition on disposal of minerals
92. Charges in respect of mineral rights and licences
93. Recovery of fees
The Commission may demand, sue for, recover and receive all fees, charges, dues, rents, royalties or payments which may become due in respect of any mineral right or any licence, or otherwise due under the provisions of this Act.Part VII – General prohibitions, restrictions, reports and right of entry
94. ***
[Repealed by Act No. 7 of 2017 s. 25(b)]95. Restriction of rights of entry of holder of mineral right
96. Rights under mineral right to be exercised reasonably
97. Compensation, relocation and resettlement
98. Removal of minerals
The holder of a prospecting licence shall not, without the written permission of the Commission, and subject to such conditions as the Commission may specify in the instrument of permission, remove any mineral from the prospecting area, except for the purpose of having the mineral analysed, determining the value of the mineral or conducting tests on the mineral.99. Wasteful practices
100. Reports, records and information
100A. Storage of raw minerals
100B. Sorting and valuation
100C. Control over removal of raw minerals
100D. Handling of mineral concentrates
100E. Regulations over use of stabilization clauses
100F. Plough-back of profits from minerals sector
101. Authorised officer’s power of entry
Part VIII – Local content, corporate social responsibility and integrity pledge
102. Provision of goods and services by Tanzanian entrepreneurs
103. Training and employment of Tanzanians
104. Training and technology transfer
105. Corporate social responsibility
106. Integrity pledge
Part IX – Environmental principles and liabilities
107. Compliance with environmental principles
108. Pollution damage
109. Liability of licence holder for pollution damage
110. Liability for pollution damage caused without licence
111. Claiming of damages
112. Claiming compensation for pollution
113. Jurisdiction
A legal action for compensation for pollution damage shall be brought before a competent court in the area where the effluence or discharge of mining operations takes place or where damage is caused.[Act No. 7 of 2017 s. 28]Part X – Financial provisions
114. Funds of commission
115. Financial year
The financial year of the Commission shall be the period of one year ending on the 30th June.[Act No. 7 of 2017 s. 28]116. Budget
117. Accounts and audit
118. Annual report
Part XI – Disputes settlement
119. Commission may decide disputes
120. Enforcement of Commission's orders
121. Appeal to High Court
Any person aggrieved by a decision or order of the Commission made or given pursuant to this Part may appeal to the High Court within the period of thirty days from the date on which the decision or order is given or made.[s. 104]122. Rules
The Commission may make rules providing for the initiation and conduct of proceedings under section 119 and the keeping of records and notes of evidence concerning any such proceedings.[s. 105]Part XII – Registration of mineral rights
123. Registers of mineral rights
124. Evidentiary provisions
A certificate of the Commission that—Part XIII – Miscellaneous provisions
125. Radioactive minerals
126. Listing with stock exchange
The Minister shall, in consultation with holders of special mining licence, make regulations prescribing the minimum shareholding requirement and procedure for selling shares to the Tanzania nationals, in accordance with the provisions of the Capital Market and Securities Act, offering shares to the public through listing with the stock exchange.[Cap. 79][s. 109]127. Transfer of control over company
128. Insurance and indemnities
129. Regulations
130. Obstruction of holder of mineral rights
Any person who, without reasonable excuse, obstructs or hinders the holder of a mineral right from doing any act which that holder is authorised to do by this Act, the regulations or his mineral right commits an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding ten million shillings or imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve months or to both.[s. 113]131. Miscellaneous offences
Any person who—132. Offence committed by body corporate
Where an offence which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or of any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he, as well as the body corporate, commits an offence and shall be punished accordingly.[s. 115]Part XIV – Repeals and savings provisions
133. Repeal and savings
History of this document
01 July 2023 amendment not yet applied
Amended by
Finance Act, 2023
02 December 2022 amendment not yet applied
07 October 2022 amendment not yet applied
01 July 2022 amendment not yet applied
Amended by
Finance Act, 2022
11 October 2021 amendment not yet applied
01 July 2020 amendment not yet applied
Amended by
Finance Act, 2020
30 November 2019 this version
Consolidation
22 November 2019
22 February 2019
01 July 2018
Amended by
Finance Act, 2018
13 October 2017
07 July 2017
01 July 2017
Amended by
Finance Act, 2017
25 September 2015
01 November 2010
Commenced by
Mining (Commencement) Notice, 2010
06 August 2010
28 May 2010
20 May 2010
Assented to
Cited documents 0
Documents citing this one 34
Government Notice 11
Act 10
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Finding aid 1
1. | The Subsidiary Legislation of Tanzania Index - Vol. 1: 2008 - 2021 |
Subsidiary legislation
Title
|
Date
|
|
---|---|---|
Amri ya Kutengua Sehemu ya Eneo Lililotengwa kwa ajili ya Leseni za Uchimbaji Mdogo wa Madini ya Mwaka 2023 | Government Notice 198 of 2023 | 17 March 2023 |
Mining (Local Content) (Amendments) Regulations, 2019 | Government Notice 139 of 2019 | 8 February 2019 |
Mining (Minerals and Mineral Concentrates Trading) (Amendments) Regulations, 2019 | Government Notice 138 of 2019 | 8 February 2019 |
Mining (Diamond Trading) Regulations, 2019 | Government Notice 137 of 2019 | 8 February 2019 |
Mining (Mineral Beneficiation) (Amendments) Regulations, 2019 | Government Notice 136 of 2019 | 8 February 2019 |
Mining (Mirerani Controlled Area) Regulations, 2019 | Government Notice 135 of 2019 | 8 February 2019 |
Mining Local Content Regulations, 2018 | Government Notice 3 of 2018 | 10 January 2018 |
Mining (Minimum Shareholding and Public Offering) (Amendment) Regulations, 2017 | Government Notice 44 of 2017 | 24 February 2017 |