Tanzania is taking significant steps to become a key player in the global critical minerals industry by emphasizing industrial development and value addition. The Tanzania Mining & Investment Forum 2024, held from November 19 to 21 at the Julius Nyerere Convention Center, attracted over 1,500 participants from various regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and North America. The event was led by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Minister of Minerals Anthony Mavunde, with key contributions from regional leaders, industry professionals, and investors.
A highlight of the event was the session titled “Energy Transition Minerals: Focusing on Midstream and Downstream Value Addition,” which featured major projects such as Tembo Nickel, Helium One, Peak Rare Earths, and Pula Graphite Partners’ Ruangwa Graphite Project. These initiatives underscore Tanzania’s increasing role in providing essential minerals like nickel, helium, rare earth elements, and graphite, critical for industries like electric vehicles, wind turbines, and high-tech manufacturing.
Dr. Mary Stith, president of Pula Group, emphasized the country’s dedication to becoming a global hub for mineral processing. She highlighted government-backed infrastructure improvements, particularly in Ruangwa, where high-quality graphite is set for export and local processing.
Executives from the featured companies also outlined their strategies. Tembo Nickel’s CEO Benedict Busunzu discussed plans to establish a sustainable mining and refining hub, while Peak Rare Earths’ CEO Bardin Davis commended Tanzania’s favorable mining policies, which support its role in the electric vehicle supply chain. Helium One’s Lorna Blaisse also made a major announcement about a helium discovery in Rukwa, positioning Tanzania as a key player in the medical, space, and energy sectors.
The conference further featured expert insights from McKinsey’s Adam Kendall, Lifezone Metals’ Chris Showalter, and Faru’s John de Vries, covering investment strategies, infrastructure development, and Africa’s potential in global battery manufacturing.
With an emphasis on local beneficiation and increasing investment, Tanzania is positioning itself as a central hub for the global energy transition, leveraging its vast mineral resources to fuel industrial and economic growth.