Whilst we wait for the ministers clarification here is a thought of what he thinks of graphite in the lindi (VRC and MNS) region. Clearly he has big hopes for graphite in our area indirectly IMO referring to MNS and VRC. Dated 29 DEC 2016. I dont see doom and gloom.
PRIME Minister, Kassim Majaliwa has assured residents of Lindi Region that the region’s economy will flourish after completion of two big projects, which are being implemented in Ruangwa and Lindi Districts.
Mr Majaliwa was speaking after receiving a regional development report from the Lindi Regional Commissioner, Mr Godfrey Zambi at Nachingwea state lodge. He said the two grand investments are set to reduce poverty by offering job opportunities, increase revenues and ensure social services in the area.
He said preparations for the first project have already started and that so far 6.4bn/- have been provided to residents whose areas will be covered by the project in Ruangwa District.
According to Premier Majaliwa, at least 139 million tonnes of graphite are expected to be extracted in the area and that the process is set to take a period of 30 years. He added that another similar project is set to take place in Namangale Ward in which 120 million tonnes of graphite will be extracted.
The extraction exercise is set to take place in the period of 20 years. “If these two projects will be well implemented and managed, it’s obvious the two districts and Lindi Region in general will make a big economic step,” he said.
Premier Majaliwa said the two projects are expected to provide employment to hundreds of Tanzanians and thus it will be easier for every person to benefit from the projects. “This is a great opportunity for Lindi Region residents and Tanzanians in general, we must get prepared to exploit these opportunities and work hard to get rid of poverty,” said Premer Majaliwa.
Moreover, the RC, Mr Zambi said Uranex Company continues to pay compensation to people who are being relocated from the areas that will be covered during the implementation of the projects. “Uranex Company is continuing to pay compensation to people who are supposed to move and allow the implementation of the project in Kinywe area in Ruangwa District,” said Mr Zambi.
He said so far 7.7bn/- have been allocated by the company to pay 773 people and that 6.4bn/- have already been paid to 632 people in the district.
However, Mr Zambi said at least 110 people were not paid after their bank documents were found with some contradicting reports. He added that 31 people had already registered complaints and that the company is dealing with them.
“The company is doing everything in its power to resolve all challenges and they expect to complete paying compensation by January, next year,“ he said. Recently, Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo asked Lindi residents to support the establishment of mining projects saying they were aiming at boosting the national economy and bring about development.
According to Maps of World’s website, Tanzania would become the 8th largest graphite producer in the world in the shortterm since it has already signed a contract to start exporting 10,000 MT of graphite per annum from the Epanko Project.
So far Zimbabwe is the only African country located in the top ten producers of graphite with an annual production of 6 MT, with China topping the list with a production of 780 MT per annum according to Maps of World. Tanzania’s largest graphite deposits are located in the central and east southern regions of the country.
At the end of 2015, The Tanzanian Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM) announced that Tanzania will soon become one of the largest producers of graphite in the world, due to recent and abundant discoveries of graphite fields across the country.
In 2014, China was the largest producer of graphite with 780,000t, followed by India (170,000t), Brazil (80,000t), Canada, North Korea and Turkey with 30,000t, Russia (14,000t), Mexico (8,000t), Ukraine and Zimbabwe with 6,000t, Madagascar (5,000t), Sri Lanka (4,000t), Norway (2,000t) and other countries (1,000t).
MNS Price at posting:
48.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held
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