WEDNESDAY July 9, 2025
By The Tranquility News Correspondent, Tanzania
Under the blazing African sun, the heart of Tanzania’s goldfields pulses with more than just shimmering extracts—it beats with hope and shared purpose.
Five years ago, Barrick Mining and the government of Tanzania entered into a robust partnership, where Twiga Corporation was formed, a transformative alliance aiming at far beyond profit to forge a legacy of shared prosperity.
On July 7, 2025, Barrick president and CEO Mark Bristow stood before local media at Bulyanhulu’s core, a place resurrected from stagnation to industry prominence.
“We didn’t just settle legacy disputes,” he said, voice steady, “we charted a new course—unlocking Tanzania’s gold in partnership, and ensuring its rewards are shared broadly.”
Injecting Billions, Building Futures
Official data shows that since 2019, Twiga has infused nearly $4.8 billion into Tanzania’s economy—$558 million in the first half of 2025 alone.
Procurement is overwhelmingly local—over 90 per cent of goods and services come from Tanzanian suppliers, mostly native, the fresh data indicates.
Nearly 96 per cent of employees are Tanzanian, with almost half from nearby villages.
Investing in Education
One shining example is the Future Forward education initiative—a $30 million worth project with the government and the President’s Office.
Phase Two is underway to build classrooms for an additional 45,000 students nationwide.
Engineering Mines for Tomorrow
On the ground, Bulyanhulu’s underground Upper West decline is racing ahead.
New fleets, revamped ventilation, and dewatering systems are alleviating bottlenecks—ensuring gold flows for decades.
At North Mara, a battery energy storage system now stabilizes power. “Underground and open-pit operations roll on, and, after years of careful resettlement, community’s trust is being restored,” Mr Bristow said.
Exploring the Future
Explorers are already drilling and flying geophysics surveys—extending resources at Gokona, Gena, Reef 1 & 2—and eyeing greenfields such as Siga and Nzega to replenish reserves.
Even Buzwagi, with its gold mostly mined out, is being reimagined. A Special Economic Zone is attracting entrepreneurs, while the Barrick Academy—opened at Buzwagi—is training supervisors, foremen, and superintendents.
By year’s end, over 2,800 individuals will have graduated, laying foundations for Africa’s mining workforce.
The partnership aims at supporting the significant investments made by Barrick in conjunction with Twiga Minerals Corporation,” the Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa.
Recognition & Responsibility
Twiga stands out for safety (with zero lost-time injuries in 2024), local employment, local procurement, environmental performance, and community engagement.
“North Mara has been honoured as Tanzania’s top extractives contributor, Bulyanhulu the occupational health and safety award—awards that echo Twiga’s values,” he explained.
Words that Resonate
In Bristow’s own words: “Twiga is more than a company—it is a model for what mining can become when it is done right: in partnership, with purpose.”
Twiga has revitalised mines once languishing, transforming them into beacons of shared wealth and community empowerment.
“From classrooms to clean power, trusted jobs to greenfields of exploration, Twiga’s tracks run deep across Tanzania’s economic and social landscape,” Mr Bristow noted.
Its story is proof that, when mining is done right, it can spark a new chapter of national development—rooted in partnership, driven by shared value, sustained by long-term vision.
During the event where Barrick’s quarterly performance report was presented, the Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr Steven Kiruswa, highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering strong operational collaboration with Barrick.
“This partnership aims at supporting the significant investments made by Barrick in conjunction with Twiga Minerals Corporation,” said Dr Kiruswa, adding that Twiga, in which the government holds a 16 per cent stake, exemplified a successful and mutually beneficial arrangement within the mining sector.
He emphasized that through cooperation between these entities, major investments have been realised annually, with various development projects undertaken alongside local communities near the mine.
Addressing journalists about developments at the Buzwagi mine, the Commissioner for Minerals, Dr Abdulrahman Mwanga, announced that mine had been designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
He added that this designation had attracted interest from numerous investors eager to pursue economic development in the areaΩ
