Tanzania Hails Barrick as a Benchmark for Embracing Locals in Leadership Roles

THURSDAY January 8, 2026

By The Tranquility News Reporter, Tanzania

The Government of Tanzania has formally positioned Barrick Mining Corporation as a benchmark for local leadership and regulatory compliance in the mining industry, citing the North Mara Gold Mine as a flagship example where Tanzanians hold 100 percent of senior management roles.

Speaking to journalists in Dodoma, Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde said the North Mara Mine—located in Tarime District, Mara Region, and operated by Barrick in partnership with the government through Twiga Minerals Corporation—has distinguished itself in the implementation of Tanzania’s Local Content laws, particularly in employment, leadership development, and succession planning.

Tanzania is increasingly presenting itself as a stable, reform-driven mining jurisdiction—and Barrick Mining Cooperation’s operations are now being held up by the government as proof that large-scale mining investments can align commercial returns with strong local governance.

“North Mara shows that mining investments in Tanzania can be both globally competitive and locally embedded,” said Mavunde, describing the operation as evidence that policy alignment and investor confidence can coexist.

The Minister added that Barrick’s Country Manager for Tanzania was also a Tanzanian, reinforcing what investors increasingly view as a key de-risking factor: Institutionalised local leadership that reduced operational disruption and strengthened stakeholder alignment.

North Mara shows that mining investments in Tanzania can be both globally competitive and locally embedded,” Tanzania’s Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde.

Workforce Localisation as a Risk-Management Strategy

For investors, workforce stability and regulatory predictability are critical. Government’s data shows Tanzania’s mining sector has made measurable progress on both fronts.

Local employment in mining projects rose from 6,668 out of 7,003 jobs (95 per cent) in 2018 to 18,853 out of 19,356 jobs (97 per cent) by December 2024, reflecting a policy environment that favours structured localisation over abrupt regulatory shifts.

According to Mavunde, Tanzania’s legal framework now requires formal succession and skills-transfer mechanisms for specialised roles, allowing investors to plan talent transitions over time rather than face sudden compliance shocks.

Barrick’s North Mara Mine was cited as a case study where this approach has translated into full localisation of senior operational roles without compromising productivity or safety, offering a blueprint for scalable, long-life mining assets.

Local Content Reforms Expand Investment Opportunities

Beyond employment, the government is expanding the investable ecosystem around mining through local content reforms that prioritise Tanzanian participation while opening new partnership models.

Under amendments to the Mining (Local Content) Regulations Act of 2018, the government has designated 20 goods and services to be supplied exclusively by 100 per cent by Tanzanian-owned companies, a move designed to catalyze domestic supplier capacity and reduce import dependency.

“For the first time, these reserved goods and services will be formally gazetted under Regulation 13A,” Mavunde said, explaining that the announcement was made on November 14, 2025.

For investors, the policy signals clear rules of engagement, encouraging joint ventures, supplier development programmes, and localised value chains that can lower costs and improve social license to operate.

Procurement Data Signals Market Depth

The scale of opportunity is already reflected in procurement data.

The value of goods and services sourced from Tanzanian companies increased from TZS 1.85 trillion (about $741 million) out of TZS 3.01 trillion (about $1.2 billion) (62 per cent) in 2018 to TZS 4.41 trillion (about $1.8 billion), accounting for 88 per cent of total mining procurement worth TZS 5.00 trillion (about $2 billion) in 2024.

“This trend demonstrates growing domestic capacity and a maturing supplier base,” Mavunde said, adding that stronger local procurement reduces foreign exchange exposure and enhances supply-chain resilience.

Buzwagi: A New Industrial Investment Corridor

In a move aligned with Tanzania’s industrialisation agenda, the government has converted the former Barrick-Buzwagi large-scale gold mine, spanning 1,331 acres, into a special investment zone for mining-related manufacturing.

So far, six factories have been established, with 15 additional investors expressing interest, positioning Buzwagi as a potential anchor for downstream manufacturing, regional exports, and long-term capital deployment linked to mining.

A Clear Signal to Capital Markets

Minister Mavunde concluded by urging both local and international investors to view Tanzania’s mining sector as open, rules-based, and increasingly predictable, while emphasizing that compliance and partnership are central to investment success.

“Tanzania is offering investors clarity, continuity, and opportunity,” he said. “Those who align with our legal framework and local participation strategy stand to benefit from a stable operating environment and sustained returns.”

For investors assessing African mining jurisdictions, Tanzania’s message is clear: Local leadership is no longer a regulatory obligation alone—it is becoming a competitive advantageΩ