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A new nickel and copper processing facility under construction in Bahi District, Dodoma, has reached 85% completion and is on track to commence operations in February 2026. The project, valued at TZS 37 billion, is designed to process approximately 300 tonnes of ore per day, offering a reliable and structured market for small-scale miners as part of Tanzania’s broader mineral value-addition agenda.
Tanzania is making significant strides in the development of a state-of-the-art nickel and copper processing plant located in Mayamaya, Bahi District, Dodoma. According to the Ministry of Minerals, the project has achieved 85% progress, with production expected to begin in February 2026. This milestone was announced after an official inspection conducted on 21 November 2025 by the Minister of Minerals, Anthony Mavunde.
The facility has been designed to process and smelt both nickel and copper ores, forming a key component of the government’s vision to strengthen domestic mineral beneficiation. By enhancing in-country processing capacity, the government aims to ensure that mineral exports consist of refined and value-added products rather than unprocessed raw materials.
Once operational, the plant’s first processing line will handle 300 tonnes of ore daily. The entire project represents an investment of TZS 37 billion, underscoring the government’s commitment to scaling up the mineral processing sector. Minister Mavunde encouraged small-scale miners to take advantage of the guaranteed and stable market that the new facility will provide, emphasizing that the plant supports national goals to establish a complete mineral value chain within Tanzania.
Bahi District Commissioner Joachimu Nyingo highlighted the region’s growing attractiveness to investors, noting that supportive government policies have led to the establishment of nine mineral value-addition plants in the Dodoma Region alone. He praised the sector’s continued expansion and the positive impact it has on local economic development.
The plant’s supervisor, Hassan Ngaiza, pointed out the wide-ranging benefits the project will bring once fully operational. These include the creation of over 300 permanent and temporary jobs, dependable markets for raw mineral inputs, and the production of more refined mineral commodities. Additionally, Thobias Kente, Chairperson of the Tanzania Metal Miners Association, expressed gratitude to Zhong Zhou, the project developer, for adhering to the construction timetable. He noted that timely completion of the plant will provide small-scale metal miners with long-term market stability.
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Tanzania continues to roll out its national policy on mineral beneficiation, which seeks to increase the value of mineral exports, build industrial capacity, and expand employment opportunities linked to the mining sector. Nickel and copper have been identified as strategic minerals under this policy framework. The government is actively promoting investment in smelting and refining plants across key regions such as Dodoma, Mwanza, and Songwe.
This policy shift aims to transform the mining sector from one dependent on exporting raw ore to one driven by processing and exporting higher-value finished mineral products—ensuring greater economic returns and strengthening industrial development within the country.
