LEMINATHA KABIGUMILA: A WOMAN MINER FROM CHALLENGES TO A MINING INDABA AWARD





By Asteria Muhozya

Tanzania actively participated in the International Mining Indaba Conference held from February 8–12, 2026, in South Africa. The Tanzanian delegation was led by the Minister for Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde, and included representatives from miners’ associations, financial institutions, legal firms, mining service providers, traders, and women determined to transform the image of the mining sector in the country.

Among them was Leminatha Cornel Kabigumila, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RARE Mining East Africa Limited, who has made remarkable history and become a symbol that women can successfully participate and excel in mining in Tanzania and across Africa.

In her first-ever participation at Mining Indaba, Leminatha won the Woman Entrepreneur in Mining Award presented by the African Women in Mining Associations (AWIMA), recognizing her significant contribution to the mining sector in Africa and Tanzania. This was not her first recognition. She has previously received three awards: Best Miner, Best Government Taxpayer, and Best Woman Miner through the annual “Mining Night” awards ceremony, part of the Tanzania International Mining Investment Conference, which honors outstanding companies and miners in the country’s mining sector.

In a special interview with Madini Diary, Leminatha said, “I did not expect to receive this award. I went to Indaba to gain knowledge and network with others, but beyond my expectations, I was honored with an award. It is a sign that genuine efforts are recognized.”

An Enabling Environment in Tanzania’s Mining Sector

Leminatha emphasizes that Tanzania’s mining sector has created a supportive environment for anyone wishing to join, regardless of traditional or cultural challenges. She cites Resident Mining Officer Samweli Shoo, now serving in the mining region of Geita, who believed in her and helped her secure her first mining license—opening the door for her to conduct her mining business transparently and with dignity.

“Officer Shoo was the first to believe in me and grant me a license. That gave me the courage to establish my mining business and move forward without fear. This sector provides us with opportunities to start and grow our operations fully. I thank the Ministry, all Mining Officers, and all women miners’ associations,” she said.

She also highlighted the role of legal firms such as Breakthrough Attorneys and financial institutions including NMB Bank, which participated in the Mining Indaba conference. These institutions assured potential investors of access to credit facilities, legal support, and professional advisory services when investing in Tanzania, while also promoting the country’s mining sector beyond its borders. This demonstrates that anyone interested in entering Tanzania’s mining industry can access the necessary support.

Key Lessons from Her Award and Professional Journey

Leminatha shared important lessons from her journey:

Integrity and transparency: All services are provided free of corruption, transparently, and payments are processed through official government systems.

Courage and perseverance: Success requires hard work, determination, and resilience in facing challenges.

Continuous learning: International conferences open doors to new knowledge and broader perspectives, helping miners add value to their resources.

One woman’s success is society’s success: Her achievement represents the broader potential of women to transform the sector.

She summarized her international outlook by stating, “My participation in Mining Indaba has given me a broader global perspective on the mining sector and the value of Tanzania’s resources. We can bring significant economic transformation.”

“I have learned about adding value to minerals through innovation, social responsibility, and sustainable investment, while witnessing how women are taking prominent roles on major international platforms. This has motivated me to remain steadfast and pursue my goals without fear,” she added.

Leminatha encourages women to start small, be courageous, and never accept ‘no’ without trying. “This award is proof that we are recognized, that our dreams are possible, and that we should never give up,” she said.

Today, Leminatha Kabigumila is not only a successful woman miner but also a symbol of the vast potential for women in Tanzania’s and Africa’s mining sectors. Her victory at Mining Indaba is a life lesson, a sign of possibility, and motivation for women to pursue their dreams and actively participate in the mining industry.

Through her company, RARE Mining, Leminatha holds 21 tin mining licenses operating in Kyerwa, Kagera Region, as well as gold mining licenses in Kahama (Shinyanga) and Manyara. She stated, “I have gold licenses, and I sell my gold to the Bank of Tanzania in Dodoma.”

Considering her achievements and the enabling environment within the sector, Leminatha’s story is clear evidence that the Government of Tanzania continues to establish friendly policies and systems that empower citizens to participate fully in the mineral economy and achieve sustainable success.

#TZ@theMiningIndaba2026

#MiningIsLife

#MiningIsWealth

#MiningIsEmployment

#MiningIsEconomy

#MiningIsDevelopment

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