Tanzania Ministry of Minerals orders safety preparations for El Niño rains

Yahya Samamba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Minerals, has issued urgent directives to mine owners, managers, and inspectors to prepare for heavy El Niño rains expected between October and December. Speaking in Kahama, Shinyanga, Samamba emphasized the need to improve safety protocols, increase inspections of mining pits and toxic tailings dams, and strengthen emergency response plans.

The directives follow warnings from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority regarding above-average rainfall. Samamba noted that approximately 70 percent of mining accidents are caused by soil becoming saturated and heavy, leading to the collapse of pit walls and supports. To mitigate these risks, he instructed stakeholders to improve drainage systems, replace decaying supports with higher-quality materials, and ensure proper sanitation facilities are in place to prevent diseases such as cholera.

Representatives from the Federation of Miners' Associations of Tanzania (FEMATA) and the Tanzania Mine Inspectors Association (CHAWUMITA) indicated that training sessions are underway to help small-scale miners understand and implement these safety measures to protect lives, infrastructure, and production.