Tanzania commenced production of mining and industrial spare parts after the East Africa Conveyor Supplies (EACS) factory officially began operations in Kahama in the Shinyanga region.
The factory situated on the site where the Buzwagi Special Economic Zone is being developed manufactures machine parts that meet the required standards for use in both local and international mining and industrial sectors.
Speaking to the Communication Unit of Tanzania’s Ministry of Minerals in Shinyanga, EACS Managing Director Peter Kumalilwa explained that the factory, owned 50% by Tanzanians and 50% by foreigners, produces steel conveyor frames, drop brackets, steel conveyor rollers, impact conveyor rollers, and plastic and steel caps for conveyor rollers.
He added that these products are sold to major Tanzanian gold mines such as North Mara, Bulyanhulu, and Buckreef, as well as the Kibali gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Lumwana copper mine in Zambia.
He also stressed that most of the raw materials used by the factory, including steel and iron, are sourced from local industries in Tanzania, contributing to the growth of the industrial sector and reducing the cost of importing spare parts.
The high quality of the factory’s products has attracted demand in many countries, and thus the factory is planning to expand its business to West Africa.
On his part, the Resident Mining Officer for the Kahama Mining Region, Winnifrida Mrema highlighted: “The establishment of the EACS factory represents an important step in increasing the value of the mining and industrial sectors in Tanzania and opens doors for Tanzanians to seize investment opportunities within the Special Economic Zone.”
Buzwagi Special Economic Zone
Tanzania has developed several Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to drive industrialization.
According to a feasibility study by Barrick Gold Corporation commissioned in 2021, the Buzwagi SEZ had the potential to replace its old Buzwagi mine which was closed in 2022, as the region’s primary economic driver.
The study showed that the SEZ could generate more than US$ 150,000 annually from service levies for the local municipality, contribute approximately US$ 4.5 million in employment taxes each year, and create 3,000 jobs annually.
In February 2023 the Government of Tanzania approved the conversion of the Buzwagi mine into an SEZ, and several investors began the process of establishing manufacturing industries in the SEZ.
Barrick also established an airport terminal and academy as part of its plan to transform the old mine into a SEZ.
According to the 2024/25 budget speech from the Ministry of Minerals, three Tanzanian companies have built factories to manufacture mining equipment within the Buzwagi SEZ.
The first is East African Conveyors Supplies, which has built a factory to produce industrial and mining spare parts in Kahama Municipality, where construction is complete.
Another is Rock Solutions, which is building a factory to produce core trays, with construction 90% complete.
Lastly, Max Steel is expected to produce equipment (wire mesh and rock bolts) used to support and prevent the collapse of rocks in underground mines, with its construction also 90% complete.
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