Tanzania has officially launched the country’s first modern copper processing plant. The facility, located in the Chunya district of the Mbeya region, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and is operated by Mineral Access Systems Tanzania Ltd (MAST).
According to the Ministry of Minerals, the plant positions Tanzania to become a significant player in the global copper market.
Prime Minister Majaliwa hailed the facility as a symbol of Tanzania’s ambition to transform its economy through industrialisation. He emphasised that the new plant demonstrates the government’s dedication to encouraging value addition in mineral resources, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and ensuring environmentally responsible practices in mining.
“This launch not only highlights our economic aspirations but also signals an improving investment climate,” said Majaliwa.
- Advertisement -
MAST Director Godfrey Kente explained that the plant will process low-grade copper ore containing between 0.5% and 2% copper, sourced primarily from the Mbugani area in Chunya. Using advanced leaching and cementation technology, the ore will be refined into copper concentrate with a purity of up to 75%.
The plant is expected to process 31,200 tonnes of copper ore monthly—27,200 tonnes from MAST’s own operations and 4,000 tonnes purchased from small-scale miners across the country.
The project not only contributes to the diversification of Tanzania’s mineral economy but also opens opportunities for local miners and enhances the country’s industrial capacity. By processing ore domestically rather than exporting raw minerals, Tanzania aims to increase the value derived from its natural resources.
Already, MAST plans to build three more copper processing plants in regions where copper reserves have been identified—Manyara, Ruvuma, and Dodoma.
These expansions are expected to further boost the nation’s copper production.
