MAJALIWA: CHUNYA PUTS TANZANIA ON THE GLOBAL MAP IN COPPER PRODUCTION AND REFINING




This follows the inauguration of the country's first modern copper processing plant.

The plant processes 31,200 tonnes of copper ore per month.

Additional plants planned in Manyara–Simanjiro, Ruvuma, and Dodoma—each expected to create over 500 jobs and stimulate economic impact worth USD 40 million annually.

📍 Mbugani – Chunya

Tanzania has marked a historic milestone as the country’s first modern copper processing plant—Mineral Access Systems Tanzania Ltd (MAST)—is officially inaugurated, placing Chunya on the global map as a copper producer. The presence of this plant offers significant hope for the local community and the nation.

This was highlighted on June 18, 2025, by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, speaking on behalf of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, during the laying of the foundation stone and official launch of the facility located in Mbugani Ward, Chunya District, Mbeya Region.

Majaliwa noted that the construction of the plant demonstrates the Government's commitment to adding value to minerals locally. He commended MAST’s substantial investment, which reflects the improving business and investment climate in Tanzania.

He emphasized that the plant aligns well with the National Mineral Policy, as it promotes value addition, modern technology use, and environmental conservation in mining activities.

> "This is a fundamental step towards making Tanzania not only a mining country but also a hub for value-added mineral processing industries that produce high-value products," Majaliwa stressed.

✅️ Government's Strategic Agenda for the Mining Sector

The Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s strong focus on ensuring all locally mined minerals are processed within the country. This strategy aims to boost employment, increase government revenue through taxes and royalties, and support local industries that depend on mineral raw materials, thereby enhancing Tanzania’s global competitiveness.

He further directed that all mining operations must prioritize environmental protection—this includes using eco-friendly technologies, restoring mined areas, and preventing environmental pollution to safeguard human life, water sources, and biodiversity.

To protect the interests of local communities near mining sites, Majaliwa urged investors to prioritize hiring residents for non-specialized jobs. This would reduce unemployment and raise household incomes.

Additionally, he insisted that all investors must pay applicable taxes and royalties, which are vital for funding public services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

He also directed all companies to fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations by ensuring local communities benefit from essential services such as schools, roads, clinics, and clean water.

✅️ Statement from the MAST Director

MAST Director Mr. Godfrey Kente stated that the plant’s primary objective is to process low-grade copper ore (0.5% – 2%) extracted from Mbugani, Chunya, and increase its value to 75% copper content using leaching and cementation technology.

He noted that the plant currently has the capacity to process 31,200 tonnes of copper ore per month, with 27,200 tonnes sourced from the company’s own mine and 4,000 tonnes purchased from small-scale miners across the country.

✅️ Plan for Additional Copper Processing Plants

Kente revealed that MAST plans to build three more copper processing plants in Manyara–Simanjiro, Ruvuma–Mbesa (Tunduru), and Dodoma. Each of these plants is expected to employ over 500 people and generate an economic impact worth over USD 40 million annually.


> "Hon. Prime Minister, this plant has already created jobs for 254 employees, including 209 directly under MAST and 45 through contractors. Of these, 205 are Tanzanians, with about 60% from Mbeya Region, particularly Chunya District," said Kente.

He added that MAST, a Tanzanian company founded in 2011, is committed to promoting inclusive and sustainable mineral business and has actively participated in the trade of strategic minerals such as copper, nickel, and manganese, both locally and internationally, in collaboration with small-scale miners.

✅️ Remarks from the Deputy Minister of Minerals

Earlier, while welcoming the Prime Minister, Deputy Minister for Minerals Dr. Steven Kiruswa said that the 2020–2025 CCM Manifesto emphasized the establishment of value addition plants for minerals as a strategy to make Tanzania not just a producer of raw materials but also a manufacturer of high-value mineral products.


Dr. Kiruswa explained that the MAST plant is among nine (9) such facilities expected to be built across the country. These efforts are part of the national strategy to make Tanzania Africa’s mineral processing hub and to shift from exporting raw minerals to exporting value-added products.


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