DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzania plans to expand detailed geophysical surveys to cover at least 50% of the country by 2030, up from about 16% currently, as the government seeks to improve geological information and attract further investment into the mining sector.
Deputy Minister for Minerals Dr Steven Kiruswa announced the target during the launch of the Mining Technology Exhibition in Geita, saying greater geological coverage would provide more precise information about underground rock formations and potential mineral deposits.
For investors, the programme is intended to address one of the uncertainties involved in mineral exploration: limited geological information. By generating more detailed data on where minerals may be located, the government expects to reduce exploration costs and help companies and small-scale miners make more informed decisions about where to invest.
The initiative forms part of Tanzania’s Mining Vision 2030. The Ministry of Minerals’ 2026/27 plans initially target an increase in detailed geophysical information from 16% to 34%, before reaching at least 50% by 2030. The ministry says the additional geological information is expected to improve the investment environment and strengthen links between mining and sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, construction and financial services.
The programme is also being supported through international technical cooperation. Tanzania and China agreed earlier this month to pursue grant funding for a high-resolution airborne geophysical survey covering parts of Dodoma, Tabora, Singida and Shinyanga, alongside cooperation in geological training and mineral-data interpretation.
The push comes as mining continues to play a significant role in Tanzania’s economy. The Ministry of Minerals reported that the sector accounted for about 10% of GDP in 2025/26 and 56% of foreign-exchange earnings, according to the latest announcement on the survey programme.
The government is also using geological research to support exploration for minerals needed in energy and technology industries. Tanzania’s longer-term plans include increasing geological knowledge of areas with potential for critical minerals such as nickel, graphite, lithium and rare earth elements.
For the mining industry, expanding survey coverage could therefore provide a larger and better-mapped pipeline of potential exploration areas. The commercial impact, however, will depend on how successfully geological data is converted into exploration activity, new projects and eventually producing mines.
Tanzania’s objective is to move from having mineral potential to having the geological information needed to identify, develop and attract investment into that potential.
