ILLEGAL MINERAL MARKET UNCOVERED IN DAR ES SALAAM





14 suspects arrested over alleged mineral smuggling

• Suspects allegedly converted a rented house into an illegal mineral trading hub

• Mining Minister Anthony Mavunde orders wider investigation and arrests

• A foreign national allegedly linked to mineral smuggling

• Minerals, cash and equipment seized by the government

An illegal mineral trading operation has been uncovered in Dar es Salaam as the government intensifies efforts to strengthen oversight of the mining sector and ensure that mineral revenues are channelled through the country’s formal mineral markets.

Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, made the revelation on August 9, 2026, while addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam, saying more than 14 suspects had been arrested over alleged involvement in mineral smuggling.

The suspects are expected to be taken before the relevant legal authorities as investigations continue.

Mavunde said the suspects had allegedly rented a residential house and converted it into an illegal mineral trading centre, despite the government having established licensed mineral markets and buying centres across the country.

“Despite the government establishing mineral markets and buying centres across the country, these individuals chose to rent a house and turn it into a mineral market, which is contrary to the law,” Mavunde said.

He urged property owners to establish the nature of activities conducted by their tenants to avoid becoming implicated in illegal activities.

The minister also directed authorities to conduct special inspections in selected areas of Dar es Salaam and other regions to identify residential premises being used as illegal mineral markets and potential centres for mineral smuggling.

Mavunde further revealed that preliminary information indicated that a foreign national was allegedly involved in facilitating the movement of minerals outside the formal system. The individual has since been apprehended.

He directed law enforcement agencies to conduct comprehensive investigations to identify and arrest all individuals involved in the alleged smuggling network.

Authorities seized 174 grams of minerals found at the illegal market, alongside two Niton DXL 800 XRF machines, weighing scales, gas cylinders, gold-melting pots, borax, gas pipes, moulds used for shaping gold and other equipment.

A total of TZS 54.705 million (approximately USD 21,000) in cash was also seized.

All the minerals, cash and equipment remain in government custody as investigations continue.

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