MINERAL RESOURCES (PROVEN RESERVES)

Tanzania is rich in mineral resources, including diamonds, gold, nickel, phosphates, coal, copper, gemstone, iron and lead plus a range of industrial minerals such as kolin, soda ash, salt, gypsum, etc., many of which have not yet been fully exploited or developed. 

The potential for developing integrated mineral-based industries in Tanzania is quite substantial.  The development of some of these mineral reserves depends largely on the sizeable capital investment that would be required to build the necessary physical infrastructure and develop the mines.

FUEL

Petroleum and Natural Gas 

There is strong optimism for  oil deposit in Tanzania, and exploration by various companies is on going. Demand for petroleum  products is met through imports. Presently, only 70% of the demand is met. Petroleum product consumption shows the transport sector as the major consumer.

The government is encouraging private sector participation in the development of Tanzania's proven gas reserves,thereby reducing demand for the expensive petroleum products.

Coal

Another indigenous natural resource of high potential is coal.  Tanzania's coal reserves are estimated at about 1,200 million tones of which 304 million tones are considered proven. The government encourages the private sector to develop coal mining as an energy substitute in paper mills, cement factories, power generation, agriculture and households.
 

Wood Fuel

About 93% of the country's energy consumptions is in the form of fuel wood.  This is mainly in the rural areas where  overgrazing as well as expansion of villages as a result of population growth and cultivated land, pose a great threat to deforestation of the country and other environmental aspects.

WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY

Wind energy in Tanzania has been used to pump water for irrigation and to meet domestic water needs. Few attempts have been made to use wind for electricity generation.

The utilisation of solar energy in Tanzania is at its infancy. There is no wide potential for using solar energy for domestic application.  The government is encouraging private businessmen to develop inexpensive facilities so as to enable the community and hotels to make use of this source of energy thereby reducing 
the use of firewood.
 

METALLURGICAL 

Some 800,000  sq. kms of the country's surface area has a deposit of nickel, gold, tin,iron.

 NON METALLURGICAL 

The non meatal deposits are coal, graphite, gemstones etc.
 

AREA UNDER CULTIVATION

Only 5.5% of Tanzania's land area is arable for Permanent crops.
 

MARINE RESOURCES 

The country is exceptionally endowed with some of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, with substantial fish resources. Out of 939,470 sq.km.total area of mainland, 53,480 sq.km. are freshwater lakes. There has been authorised commercial fishing since 1987.

An estimated 60,000 people are employed as full-time fishermen, with another 30,000 involved in part-time fishing and fishing-related activities such as fish processing, marketing, distribution, net-making, marine engine repair and total building. According to the Ministry of Tourism Natural Resources and Environment, the main suppliers for the local market, foreign investors will not be licensed to operate within 12 miles stretch of Tanzania's 200 mile zone directly or through joint ventures. Only those foreign investors who aim at improving the performance in fisheries industry through better and modern handling, processing transportation and distribution facilities will receive priority consideration.

The new investment procedure has attracted many investors. Till date, 16 enterprises in this sector have been granted certificates of approval by the Investment Promotion Centre (IPC) which are valued at Shs.7 billion with a capacity of creating 2,276 jobs.
 

AREA UNDER FOREST COVER

44 million hectares.