Tanzania, Aug. 31 -- Tarime. Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde has urged Tanzanians to abandon superstitions surrounding the mining sector, attributing financial ruin among miners to speculative extraction rather than witchcraft.

Speaking in Tarime District, Mara Region, on Monday, August 31, 2026, during the launch of the Building Better Tomorrow-Mining (BBT-M) Programme, Mr Mavunde said the government is deploying scientific exploration to eliminate guesswork.

During the event, the minister launched a Barrick North Mara Gold Mine exploration aircraft and directed it to survey the Majimoto small-scale mining site in Butiama District.

He noted that miners frequently default on loans after investing in small gold reefs that run out unex...