Proliferation of small arms in the Great Lakes Region has negatively affected operations of the Tulawaka Gold Mine (TGM) in Biharamulo District forcing African Barrick Gold (ABG) to mull closing the mine, it has been learnt.
Tulawaka Gold Mine
Tulawaka Gold Mine General Manager, Mr Philbert Rweyemamu disclosed this during a one-day familiarization workshop between officials of African Barrick Gold and reporters from different media houses held in Bukoba Municipality.
He noted that frequent armed robberies at the mine were a big concern leading the company to incur huge losses. “We have been experiencing an increase of armed robberies often disrupting operations of the company,” he said.
He explained that Tulawaka Gold Mine (TGM) started its operations in large scale mining about 12 years ago with initial projections of producing 400,000 ounces which increased to one million ounces to date.
According to Mr Rweyemamu, African Barrick Gold (ABG) operated four gold mines in Tanzania including Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi, Tulawaka and North Mara, making Tanzania the fourth largest gold producer in Africa after South Africa, Ghana and Mali.
The General Manager disclosed that Tulawaka Gold Mine will soon wind up its operations and hand over to the State Mining Company (STAMICO).
“We are finalizing the Mine Closure Plan (MCP) before handing over to STAMICO,” he said.
He noted that during its operation, Tulawaka contributed significantly on corporate and social obligations by constructing classrooms and dispensaries in surrounding villages of Mavota and Mkunkwa.
He further said that Tulawaka was conducting HIV/AIDS and environmental awareness programmes through planting friendly natural trees in areas surrounding the mine to protect the ecosystem.
Mr Rweyemamu also said Tulawaka Gold Mine was contributing about 200,000 US dollars each year to the Biharamulo District Council for social services development.
By MEDDY MULISA, Tanzania Daily News
