Mantra Tanzania’s Mkuju River Project (MRP), a new uranium mining project in the country’s Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region, is set to create 1,600 jobs while attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) totaling US$ 1bn over its lifetime, providing a substantial boost to Tanzania’s economy.
The project, operated by Uranium One Incorporation, aims to extract uranium deposits estimated by James Magweiga, a senior geologist at the project, at 119.4 million pounds (54,000 tonnes). The current initial mine life is expected to be around 12 years.
Commencement of the MRP would make Tanzania the third largest producer of the mineral on the African continent behind Niger and Namibia.
Uranium One’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chris Sattler stated that operations at the project will be subjected to international standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as national and regional laws and regulations.
He said: "Just like any other uranium mining project in the world, the MRP will be operated in accordance to national and international safety regulations and standards."
Sattler elaborated that uranium produced by the project will be supplied to electrical utilities for the sole purpose of generating electricity, and only within countries that have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and accept full International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
Joined by Mantra Tanzania's Managing Director Asa Mwaipopo, Sattler explained that two remaining approvals from the government are required by law before construction can officially begin.
This is in addition to the approval Tanzania secured from the World Heritage Committee of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) for minor adjustment to the boundary of the Selous Game Reserve World Heritage site, which runs alongside the MRP site.
Sattler said: "Earlier this year, the government granted Mantra a special mining license. We are now looking forward to settling the Mining Development Agreement (MDA) with the government through the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, after which we would look to receive the required formal consent to operate from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.”
A detailed engineering and design programme lasting nine months must also be completed before any construction. It is therefore hoped that work will start in Tanzania’s next dry season, (which runs from June to October), and take no more than two years.
Namtumbo District Commissioner, Abdula Lutavi said he believed that residents of Namtumbo District and the surrounding area are keen to take advantage of the business opportunities generated by such a large project.
Further indirect employment will be created by the MRP over its course. There are currently 120 employees involved in exploration activities.
