The Citizen<\/a> (Dar\u00a0es\u00a0Salaam)<\/p>\nMosses Mashalla<\/p>\n
26 December 2011<\/p>\n
\nArusha \u2014 Mbulu MP Mustapha Akunaay (Chadema) has indicated that he would oppose investors from outside his constituency that would attempt to tap into mineral deposits recently discovered in the area until proper surveys were carried out to establish the right quantity and types of minerals.<\/p>\n
He said in an interview that he has made his position clear to the district authorities that no investors should be allowed to start large-scale mining in the area before a comprehensive geological study is made on the existing mineral potential.<\/p>\n
“The survey should involve mineral experts and lawyers,” he said, adding that the country stood to lose millions of shillings worth of minerals if foreigners and other investors were haphazardly allowed to start mining.<\/p>\n
The outspoken MP said recently that he mobilised people to chase away some miners, including foreigners, from the site because they were not licenced by relevant authorities. The non-citizens included nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and Malawi.<\/p>\n
Mr Akunaay could not say what type of minerals have been found in Mbulu but reports abound of a gold rush following recent discovery of deposits on the edge of the Great Rift Valley escarpments, not very far from the district headquarters. The area also has several gemstone deposits.<\/p>\n
The discovery of gold is said to have attracted hundreds of miners and mineral prospectors from many parts of the country and apparently has divided government authorities on whether it should be sustained or stopped.<\/p>\n
While officials of the ministry of Energy and Minerals said the miners should be evicted because they were operating illegally, the district council insisted the gold diggers should be allowed to continue with their business provided they followed laid down regulations.<\/p>\n
The MP maintained his opposition to unlicenced mining because it could lead to massive environmental degradation of the fragile ecosystem and pollution of the rivers which originate from the mountains.<\/p>\n
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