TITLE:
Analysis of Challenges Related to Poor Environmental Regulatory Framework on Mineral Exploration Projects: A Case of Tanzania
AUTHORS:
Meserecordias Wilfred Lema
KEYWORDS:
Mineral Exploration Projects, Mining, Environment Regulatory Framework
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.4 No.7,
July
25,
2016
ABSTRACT: In the United Republic of Tanzania (URT), all environmental issues
related to the mining industry are regulated according to two principle Acts:
The Mining Act and the Environmental Management Act, and their respective
regulations. The current acts were enacted in 2010 and 2004 respectively.
Mineral exploration (that includes all on-site activities performed before a
mining project is declared feasible) projects in URT appears to be “unforgotten
phenomena” in the two major legislative documents, when it comes to
environmental considerations. This phenomenon is believed to be causing
detrimental effects to the environment. This paper, therefore, analyzes the
current environmental regulatory framework on mineral exploration projects in
URT and discusses few examples in which mineral exploration projects have
caused damage to the indigenous environment. Furthermore, this study reviews
environmental regulatory frameworks from other few countries in comparison with
existing environmental regulatory framework prevailing in URT.