Tanzania begins environmental assessment before uranium mining

At home The Tanzanian government has initiated an environmental assessment of a uranium mining project on the Mkuju River in Namtumbo District, marking an important step towards the much-anticipated commencement of operations.

Deputy Minister of Minerals Stephen Kiruswa told Parliament on Friday, November 8, 2024 that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will ensure the Mkuju River uranium mining project in southern Tanzania meets environmental and legal standards, paving the way for mining. measures that could significantly boost the economy.

The assessment, which began Nov. 3, focuses on the Mikumi-Selus Reserve ecosystem, he said.

Mr Kiruswa said the assessment reflected the government’s commitment to sustainable resource development.

“The government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and in accordance with environmental legislation, has ordered a strategic environmental assessment of the Mikumi-Selus reserve ecosystem.

The Mkuju River project is expected to proceed in line with the findings of this environmental SEA,” said Mr Kiruswa.

The deputy minister was responding to a question from Namtumbo Member of Parliament Vita Kawawa (CCM) who asked about the reasons preventing the start of a uranium project in Namtumbo’s Mkuju district despite having already obtained mining and construction licences.

The Mkuju River Uranium Project, operated by Mantra Tanzania Limited, was initially granted a Special Mining License (SML) in 2013.

However, development soon stopped due to a significant drop in global uranium prices.

“With uranium prices now stabilized, the company is ready to move forward,” Mr Kiruswa said.

“But first we have to make sure all the environmental safeguards are in place,” he added.

The deputy minister explained that the government has appointed a contractor to carry out the SEO, which is planned to be completed in six months.

The evaluation’s findings will determine the timing of the project’s next steps, but the government and Mantra Tanzania are optimistic about moving forward in the near future.

“Once completed, this project will play a key role in our economy and benefit the people of Namtumbo,” Mr. Kiruswa emphasized the importance of the project.

Mr Kiruswa said the government was working on a request to consider pilot mining in the project, but said the wider project would have to await the results of an environmental assessment, which a contractor is already working on.