DAR ES SALAAM, May 28 -- Mining has long been framed as a driver of Tanzanias economic future. The expectation is simple. Natural resources must translate into visible value. Not in projections, but in revenue, livelihoods and the steady improvement of everyday life. In Geita, that expectation is no longer abstract.

A region in motion

Buckreef Gold Mine sits between Katoro and Rwamgasa, an area that has shifted in pace and character over the past few years. What was once a quieter mining zone now carries the rhythm of a growing local economy. More movement, more businesses, more demand. The kind of change that does not need explanation because it can be seen.

When production began in 2021, operations were modest. Around 2,500 ounces of...