CAPE TOWN (South Africa), Nov 12 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TANZANIA is projected to become a global powerhouse in graphite mining, ranking sixth worldwide and third in Africa by 2050, according to a recent report by the World Bank and data from the US Geological Survey.
According to the report posted on ‘The Respondent’ website, Mozambique leads among African countries, followed by Madagascar.
This achievement was highlighted recently by Managing Director of the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), Dr Venance Mwasse who represented the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, at the “Ministerial Session” of the Africa Critical Minerals Summit held in Cape Town, South Africa.
He underscored Tanzania’s rich endowment in critical minerals, including graphite, nickel, cobalt, lithium, rare earth elements and niobium, all essential for modern energy production and technology advancement.
He outlined Tanzania’s ambitious Mining Vision 2030, which aims to reduce risks for investors by conducting extensive geological research in areas where data is limited, thereby “de-risking” the mining sector.
“This initiative includes expanding high-resolution airborne surveys from the current 16 per cent coverage to 50 per cent by 2030, a move expected to improve exploration accuracy and build investor confidence,” he explained.
Emphasising the need for a united African approach, Dr Mwasse advocated for collaboration among African nations to establish processing and refining facilities on the continent.
He noted the strategic importance of conducting cost-benefit analyses to determine ideal locations for these facilities.
“For example, the upcoming Kabanga Nickel multi-metal smelter in Kahama, Tanzania, will enable neighbouring countries like Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo to process their minerals locally, fostering regional prosperity and maximising resource benefits-strong partnerships among African nations are key to making this vision a reality,” he said.
Tanzania is also enhancing STAMICO’s role to attract investment by issuing exploration licenses and conducting its own preliminary research.
This approach aims to reduce investor start-up times and minimise risks associated with unproven resources. Dr Mwasse concluded by urging other African nations to strengthen their state-owned mining corporations to drive critical mineral development.
“By doing so, we can increase national benefits and boost Africa’s position in the global mining sector,” he said.
Tanzania is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing global demand for graphite, owing to its extensive reserves of this vital mineral. It is estimated that the country holds nearly 5 per cent of the world’s total graphite reserves, amounting to approximately 323.8 million tonnes.
The largest graphite deposits in Tanzania are located primarily in the central and southeastern regions.
Graphite, a crystalline form of carbon composed of graphene layers, plays a crucial role in numerous technological developments.
It is considered a critical mineral by many nations due to its applications in battery production, brake linings, lubricants, pencils, powdered metals, steelmaking and refractories.
The global demand for graphite is expected to grow steadily, largely driven by the expansion of the lithium-ion battery market, with the World Bank predicting production could increase by nearly 500 per cent by 2050.
Tanzania is set to unlock its graphite potential as mineral extraction gains momentum in line with the country’s mining development goals.
Current graphite projects include Lindi Jumbo, Bunyu, Chilalo, Epanko, Mahenge, Nachu and Bagamoyo, each at different stages of mining ranging from exploration to production ramp-up. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
