Mwanza — Preliminary findings of the Tulawaka Gold Mine exploration for gold in the Western Tanzania has shown there are gold resources that have potential to support the eventual development of the mining project.Tulawaka has been conducting exploration for gold in an area of Mojamoja and West Zone near the current Tulawaka mining pits within Biharamulo Forest Reserve in Biharamulo district, Kagera region.
Already, Pangea Minerals Limited, Managers of Tulawaka Gold Mining has appointed MTL Consulting Company Limited to undertake the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies for Mojamoja and West Zone mine pits.
The ESIA studies would also touch waste management facilities like landfill, bioremediation and incinerator.
MTL Managing Director, Dr. Wilson Mutagwaba told East African Business Week in Mwanza last week that, his company "is a consulting firm that gets engaged to undertake professional services." ESIA studies are one of the key legislative requirements prior to applying for a mining license in accordance to the requirements of the Tanzania Environmental Management Act, 2004.
According to a joint statement by MTL Consulting Company Limited and the Tanzania National Environment Management Council (NEMC) last week, "the ESIA will investigate the project's benefits and adverse impacts and describe measures both to enhance benefits and to mitigate adverse impacts."
The current Tulawaka mines, owned by African Barrick Gold plc (ABG) has been handed over to Tanzania's State Mining Corporation (STAMICO).
This follows the decision by African Barrick Gold plc (ABG) to cease Tulawaka mines operations and close down its business.
The Deputy Minister for Energy and Mining, Mr. Steven Masele confirmed to East African Business Week early June, 2013 that Tulawaka has ended up its operations and handed over to STAMICO.
"We (government) have not issued a certificate to Tulawaka, but they have closed business... they are now busy with the rehabilitation work considering the environment and other issues related to mining site closure," he said.
Asked on what the state mining corporation is going to do with the mines, Mr Masele said STAMICO would operate open cast mining.
Tulawaka Gold Mine ceased mining operations in March after its reserves became economically unviable for extraction and refining, but with such good news, Tulawaka is there to stay, this time to another mining site.
Tulawaka was a combined underground and open pit gold mine. It was operated by African Barrick Gold, who owned majority shareholding of 70%. The remaining 30% belong to Northern Mining Exploration Limited.
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