MBEYA (CU)_The Minister of Minerals of Tanzania, Doto Biteko, recently revealed that the Kiwira Coal Mine is now set for mass production. This is following a major rehabilitation of the mine’s infrastructure, of which 98 per cent in now complete according to the minister.
He told his fellow MPs that once production commences in March, the mine will produce over 50,000 tonnes of coal per month, strengthening production and supply of coal and power in the country. Biteko went on to note that the government has undertaken several measures to enable the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) to operate the mine instead of looking for new investors. The coal produced by the plant will be sufficient to generate 200Megawats of power, thereby boosting the power supply of Tanzania, he added.
According to Biteko, the government has initiated cooperation between STAMICO and the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) in order to ensure the smooth operation of the mine. Accordingly, TANESCO will be responsible for the construction of the power plant and related infrastructure, while STAMICO will be producing coal for the power plant. “Currently the mine is progressing with the extraction of coal for industrial use in the Kabulo area. The coal is also sold in various cement factories in the country,” the minister revealed.
The minister made these comments in response to questions raised by fellow Member of Parliament, Sophia Mwakagenda, who demanded a statement by the government on the project. She inquired when the government intends to get a potential investor to run the mine and when the authorities would pay compensation to the hundreds of workers who were laid off when the mine ceased to operate.
“All former employees with the Kiwira Coal Mine will be paid their dues and the government through the ministry of Finance and Planning has already assessed the debts before starting issuing the payments,” Minister Biteko noted, assuring his fellow lawmakers that no one will be left behind once the government begins to settle payments.
