DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 18 -- TANZANIAS mining sector is entering an important phase, marked by growing investor confidence and a stronger determination by the government to secure greater national benefits from the countrys mineral wealth.

The reported 3.6 billion US dollars (about 9tri/-) in mining investment over the past four years is encouraging, but the real measure of success will be what these investments deliver to Tanzanians.

The agreement with Henan Yudi Mining Company for a graphite project in Morogoro is particularly significant. With proven deposits estimated at 104.28 million tonnes, an expected investment of about 100 million US dollars and annual production of 50,000 tonnes of graphite, the project has the potential to crea...