THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Welfare and Social Development has expressed satisfaction with Barrick Bulyanhulu Gold Mine’s efforts to comply with workplace safety and health regulations, as well as its initiatives to safeguard the wellbeing of surrounding communities.
The committee made the remarks during a working visit to the Bulyanhulu Gold Mine, where members assessed the implementation of regulations governing mining operations, with particular emphasis on workers’ health and safety, environmental conservation and the welfare of communities living around the mine.
The committee also praised the mine for investing into cloud- connected technologies and automated systems aimed at reducing employees’ exposure to hazardous working conditions, particularly in underground mining operations.
Speaking after concluding the visit, the Permanent Chairperson of the committee, Ms Hawa Mchafu Chakoma, said members were satisfied with the manner in which Barrick Bulyanhulu implements labour laws and workplace health and safety programmes.
“We’re pleased with the patriotic manner in which you are taking a leading role in ensuring general safety at the workplace, to the extent of being recognised by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) through various awards,” she said.
Chakoma said the presentation made by the mine demonstrated that Barrick Bulyanhulu had placed the health and safety of its employees and surrounding communities among its key priorities.
She also commended the mine for implementing health-related projects through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, noting that such interventions contribute to improving the wellbeing of communities surrounding mining operations.
The chairperson further praised Barrick Bulyanhulu for its commitment to implementing local content regulations, saying the initiative had created opportunities for Tanzanians to participate in various areas of the mine’s operations.
However, she urged the mine to ensure that workplace health and safety education reaches all employees and contractors working at the mine.
“It is true that, according to your presentation, we have not seen a single death or serious accident since the beginning of this year. I take this opportunity to congratulate you for the great job, but it is important for all employees to receive training and build their capacity on workplace health and safety,” Chakoma said.
She noted that maintaining a safe and healthy working environment contributes to higher productivity while also creating a stronger basis for cooperation between the government and both local and foreign investors in the mining sector.
For her part, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Labour, Employment and Relations, Dr Evaline Munisi, described Barrick Bulyanhulu as a leader in the implementation of labour laws, employment standards and workplace health and safety requirements.
Dr Munisi said the mine had been inspected earlier this year and met the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA), subsequently receiving certification and winning seven OSHA awards.
She added that the mine had demonstrated a high level of compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Chapter 297, together with contractors working at the mine.
Dr Munisi said the ministry, in collaboration with OSHA, conducted various inspections during the 2025/26 financial year, including 871 inspections in Shinyanga Region, while 7,969 workers underwent health examinations.
She said 102 employers that had complied with workplace health and safety requirements were issued certification licences.
Earlier, Barrick Bulyanhulu’s Social and Environmental Relations Manager, Agapiti Paul, told the committee that the mine was implementing workplace safety requirements through the increased use of modern machinery, equipment and automated technologies in high-risk underground areas.
He said the technologies were being used in activities including rock breaking, blasting and rock excavation to minimise workers’ exposure to hazardous conditions.
“One of Barrick Bulyanhulu’s policies is to prioritise the health of its employees, and we have a motto that says: ‘You come to work and return home safe,’” Paul said.
He added that, alongside strengthening health and safety services within the mine, Barrick Bulyanhulu had supported the improvement of Bugarama Health Centre and implemented a malaria prevention campaign known as “Zero Malaria” in villages surrounding the mine.
The campaign includes mosquito spraying and the distribution of mosquito nets to residents as part of efforts to reduce malaria infections in communities around the mining area.
Paul said the mine also continued to implement various community development projects under its CSR policy, focusing on areas such as health, roads, schools, dormitories and agriculture.
He said the initiatives also included empowering young people, particularly those living around the mine, with skills and opportunities to engage in income-generating activities.
For his part, Kahama District Commissioner, Frank Nkinda, thanked Barrick Bulyanhulu for continuing to support government efforts to promote development in surrounding communities.
He said the mine had maintained cooperation with the 16 villages surrounding its operations, providing opportunities for women, youth and various community groups to participate in economic activities and improve their livelihoods.
The visit was part of the committee’s efforts to assess compliance with labour, health and safety, environmental and community welfare requirements in mining operations.