Barrick Mining Corporation Deploys Modern Helicopter to Strengthen Geological Exploration in Tanzania

Barrick Mining Corporation has introduced a modern helicopter to advance airborne geological surveys, with the Minister for Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde, launching the facility at the Ingwe Secondary School grounds in Nyamongo, Tarime District.

With the new facility, the country’s reputable mining company is expected to reduce environmental impacts while enhancing the efficiency of mineral exploration activities.

The initiative is, among other things, part of the implementation of the Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow programme, which seeks to empower the participation of youth, women and people with disabilities in the mining sector.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, held at the Ingwe Secondary School grounds in Nyamongo, Tarime District, alongside the launch of the programme, Minister Mavunde said relations between Barrick’s North Mara Mine, small-scale miners and residents of Nyamongo were steadily improving as all parties continued working together in mutual understanding.

He added that Barrick’s plan to expand geological exploration activities across its 6,000-square-kilometre concession, reaching depths of up to 30 metres below the surface, would utilise advanced technology known as high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys.

The technology improves the accuracy of information about underground rock formations, reduces environmental impacts and enhances the efficiency of exploration activities.

“Following consultations with Barrick’s management on how to work with residents in these areas, Barrick agreed to return licences for some areas where it had conducted exploration, so that they could be allocated to young people in Nyamongo for mining activities,” said Minister Mavunde.

Minister Mavunde added: “But today, we are beginning a journey towards major success. Young people in Nyamongo will be able to mine with greater certainty after Barrick agreed to provide its helicopter for professional exploration in their areas. This is a major achievement for young people, women and people in special groups,”

He further said that the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), which has been in existence for 101 years, had completed mineral mapping covering 97 percent of the country, while detailed geological and structural studies had covered only 16 percent.

Based on this information, Mr Mavunde stated that the Sixth-Phase Government, under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, directed that 10 percent of revenues generated from the mining sector be allocated to comprehensive mineral exploration throughout the country.

He emphasised that the mining sector required investment in technology and science to enable more modern exploration methods, including the use of helicopters, in order to accelerate positive results while continuing to protect the environment.

Speaking about the Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow programme, Minister Mavunde said it was the Government’s and the Ministry of Minerals’ ambition to see women, youth and people with disabilities participate more actively in Tanzania’s mining sector.

Barrick’s Country Manager in Tanzania, Dr Melkiory Ngido, said the initiative was important for strengthening the mining sector in the country and opening up opportunities for exploration using modern tools, while involving small-scale miners in order to expand the value chain.

Dr Ngido added that investing in modern technology was essential to implementing the National Mineral Policy, which seeks to strengthen mineral-resource exploration, increase the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy, and ensure that mining activities are carried out more efficiently while their contribution to national development continues to grow.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Minister Mavunde, for every commitment you have made and implemented effectively to increase the contribution of the mining sector to government revenue, employment and the growth of the value chain,” Dr Ngido said.

Dr Ngido explained that Barrick had participated in implementing the programme, including returning part of its mineral exploration licences to the Government so that they could benefit youth, women and people with special needs.

“This initiative marks a significant step in Barrick’s drive to increase mineral research and ensure sustainable exploitation of Tanzania’s rich mineral resources,” said Dr Ngido.

Dr Ngido said the technology improves geological confidence—a key determinant of capital allocation in mining.

“High-resolution airborne surveys enhance our understanding of what lies beneath the ground. They improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact and support disciplined, long-term investment,” Ngido said.

“As North Mara, we have returned 50 exploration licences to nearly 2,000 young people,” said Dr Ngido.

Dr Ngido stated that the aircraft would conduct high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys, allowing operators to map subsurface structures with precision and minimal surface disturbance—a model increasingly favoured by Barrick.

Barrick’s North Mara and Bulyanhulu mines, as well as Buzwagi, which is currently undergoing closure, are operated in partnership with the Government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals.

Dr Ngido added that the mines made a significant contribution to the national economy and thanked the Government for its continued cooperation.

“North Mara and Bulyanhulu are the largest taxpayers in the country and the mines that provide the largest dividends to the Government.

“We will continue working with the Government, the Ministry of Minerals and the communities around us. We bring development, create jobs and contribute to the growth of the local economy,” said Dr Ngido.

Dr Melkiory Ngido further said that Barrick, which operates in Tanzania in partnership with the Government through Twiga Minerals, would continue cooperating with the Government in modern geological exploration activities.

He said areas found unsuitable for large-scale investment would be returned to the Government for allocation to small-scale miners.

Dr Ngido also thanked the regional and district governments and other leaders in Mara Region for improving relations between Barrick North Mara and the villages surrounding the mine.

He said the improved relations had produced positive results in employment, council revenues and harmony within the community.

During the event, Barrick’s Tenement Manager, Genes Mkumbo, briefed Minister Mavunde on the company’s geological scientific research activities.

He explained that Barrick had been conducting mining operations since 2020 and, following the expansion of its activities, currently holds exploration licences covering approximately 4,900 square kilometres.

He said the main activity under this project is conducting high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys using a helicopter so that we can gain a better understanding of the geological information and rock formations in the area.

“This type of exploration will establish a strong foundation for subsequent exploration activities to be carried out professionally and with a high level of efficiency, with the aim of discovering new gold-bearing areas,” he added.

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy and Minerals, Subira Mgalu, said the Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow programme was important in expanding the number of beneficiaries through cooperation with Barrick North Mara.

“We commend Barrick for this technology,” said Mgalu, expressing hope that the information obtained from the survey would create more opportunities to improve the livelihoods and economy of Tanzanians.

Mgalu also commended the Government, through the Ministry of Minerals, for launching the Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow programme, saying it was a significant step towards empowering targeted groups.

“We congratulate the Government on this important step. Indeed, this is a historic achievement,” she added.

She said the launch of the modern helicopter for scientific geological exploration would improve efficiency in the mining sector and stimulate the growth of the mining value chain.

The Mara Regional Commissioner, Brigadier General Evans Mtambi, thanked the Ministry of Minerals and Barrick for continuing to promote the full participation of young people in the mining sector.

“I thank you for choosing Mara. We are witnessing science being applied in the mining sector,” said RC Mtambi.

The Member of Parliament for Tarime Rural Constituency, Mwita Waitara, thanked the Government and Barrick North Mara Mine for supporting development initiatives, including the allocation of mining licences to youth mining groups in the area.

The Mara Regional Chairperson of CCM, Patrick Chandi, congratulated the residents of Nyamongo for their cooperation, which had significantly reduced incidents of trespassing and unauthorised entry into the Barrick North Mara mine area.

Victor Tesha, from the Federation of Miners’ Associations of Tanzania (FEMATA), said that despite the progress being made, young people still needed exploration equipment and safer mining tools and practices.

The launch was also attended by the Mara Regional Commissioner; the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), who is also the Kigoma Regional Commissioner, Simon Sirro; the Tarime District Commissioner, Major Edward Gowele; Barrick North Mara Mine General Manager Apolinary Lyambiko; and other leaders.