Resource information
This study focuses on mining related conflicts in Tanzania, a relatively new mining country. It argues that unclear land and mining rights, and conceptual differences in how land and mining rights are perceived, contribute to conflict in the country and to a feeling among both local people and human rights advocacy groups that the government has betrayed ordinary people.The study finds that there have been seven recorded conflicts related to mining companies in the country, six of them taking place over the last seven years. A majority of the large mines in the country have experienced conflicts with small scale miners and/or local communities. Of the “five big”, North Mara, Golden Pride, Bulyanhulu, Buhemba and Geita Gold Mine, three have been involved in serious conflicts.The author lists three main reasons which contribute to these conflicts:
the system for granting concessions to mining firms is highly centralised, giving the commissioner for mining and the Minister responsible for mining immense power
once a concession has been granted, lawful occupiers of land are not allowed to erect buildings or other structures in the area “without the consent of the registered holder of the Mineral Rights concerned” . This has led to bitterness and frustration, and poorer livelihoods in some communities
there are constant rumors of alleged corruption among senior officials both in local authorities and in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Corruption is a major problem in the court system and probably in the land registration procedures as well
The author concludes that with a legacy of extremely ambiguous land tenure and a mining policy and mining laws that favor large scale mining over small scale mining and local communities in the name of national development, there seems to be no room for optimism when it comes to reducing mining related conflicts despite certain government initiatives to increase revenue from FDI and to reduce mining conflicts
