Kufuatia Sheria Mpya ya Madini ya Mwaka 2009; moja ya mambo ambayo yalitakiwa kupatiwa ufumbuzi ni suala la uchenjuaji wa mchanga wa madini unaofanywa nje ya nchi!
Kwavile hapo kabla serikali ilikuwa inategemea maelezo ya upande mmoja; yaani upande wa Wamiliki wa Migodi; mwaka 2010 serikali, kupitia taasisi yake ya Tanzania Minerals Audit Agency, taasisi iliyo chini ya Wizara ya Nishati na Madini; waliamua kufanya study kuangalia uwezekano wa uchenguaji wa mchanga kufanyika Tanzania badala ya kusafirisha mchanga nje ya nchi.
Kwavile ripoti kufuatia study hiyo ni ndefu; hapa nitaweka vifungu muhimu tu ili tuangalie ikiwa kinachoendelea hivi sasa kimefanyiwa utafiti wa kutosha au la!!
STUDY TITLE: A Study on Viability to Construct a Copper Concentrate Smelter in Tanzania.
METHODOLOGY
1. In order to arrive at the findings and recommendations of this report, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken as well as data collection and analysis. Information contained in this report has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable. However, the use of information that has been sourced from the internet is strictly your own responsibility.
2. BGM and BZGM, which are the only mines currently producing and exporting Copper Concentrate were visited to witness production, loading of the concentrates into containers, sampling and sealing of loaded containers ready for transportation to China or Japan for smelting and refining.
3. A study tour to Toyo and Saganoseki Copper Concentrate smelters in Japan was conducted in order to learn the transactions of Copper Concentrate exported by BGM and BZGM to Japan and familiarise with technology involved in processing Copper Concentrate. The tour was also aimed at understanding investment cost involved in the construction of such smelter, their capacities and major operating expenses.
Viability of Copper Concentrate Smelter Installation in Tanzania
This study focused on the viability of installing a copper smelter in Tanzania aimed at processing Copper Concentrate produced by BGM and BZGM, and that to be produced by other mines in future. The opinion herewith is based on the technical and economic factors required for an economically viable Copper Concentrate smelter. The following are the findings and facts:
1. The study has revealed that a commercially viable Copper Concentrate smelter requires a feedstock of not less than 150,000 tonnes per year. At full capacity, BGM and BZGM production is about 60,000 tonnes of Copper Concentrate annually, which would only account for 40% of the capacity of a viable Copper Concentrate smelter. Currently, no commercial-scale proven technologies exist which are suitable for small scale Copper Concentrate smelting of less than 100,000 tonnes per year, but this matter continues to be investigated.
2. A Copper Concentrate smelter of a feedstock of not less than 150,000 tonnes per year would cost between USD 500 million and USD 800 million to construct complete with sulphuric acid plant for purification of fugitive gases emitted from the smelter furnace. This is substantial amount of money. Most planned new Copper Concentrate smelters in the world are in non-free market economies and are heavily supported by local governments directly or indirectly through tariffs.
CONCLUSION
The study concludes that it is currently not feasible for a Copper Concentrate smelter to be constructed in the country to smelt and refine Copper Concentrate produced by BGM and BZGM. However, investors are encouraged to explore more on possibilities of discovering copper deposits which will warrant for installation of a Copper Concentrate smelter in the Country. TMAA will continue strengthening monitoring and auditing of Copper Concentrate
production and exports activities by BGM and BZGM so as to ensure that the Government reaps maximum benefits from the product.
NOTE: Full Report attached!
Kwavile hapo kabla serikali ilikuwa inategemea maelezo ya upande mmoja; yaani upande wa Wamiliki wa Migodi; mwaka 2010 serikali, kupitia taasisi yake ya Tanzania Minerals Audit Agency, taasisi iliyo chini ya Wizara ya Nishati na Madini; waliamua kufanya study kuangalia uwezekano wa uchenguaji wa mchanga kufanyika Tanzania badala ya kusafirisha mchanga nje ya nchi.
Kwavile ripoti kufuatia study hiyo ni ndefu; hapa nitaweka vifungu muhimu tu ili tuangalie ikiwa kinachoendelea hivi sasa kimefanyiwa utafiti wa kutosha au la!!
STUDY TITLE: A Study on Viability to Construct a Copper Concentrate Smelter in Tanzania.
METHODOLOGY
1. In order to arrive at the findings and recommendations of this report, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken as well as data collection and analysis. Information contained in this report has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable. However, the use of information that has been sourced from the internet is strictly your own responsibility.
2. BGM and BZGM, which are the only mines currently producing and exporting Copper Concentrate were visited to witness production, loading of the concentrates into containers, sampling and sealing of loaded containers ready for transportation to China or Japan for smelting and refining.
3. A study tour to Toyo and Saganoseki Copper Concentrate smelters in Japan was conducted in order to learn the transactions of Copper Concentrate exported by BGM and BZGM to Japan and familiarise with technology involved in processing Copper Concentrate. The tour was also aimed at understanding investment cost involved in the construction of such smelter, their capacities and major operating expenses.
Viability of Copper Concentrate Smelter Installation in Tanzania
This study focused on the viability of installing a copper smelter in Tanzania aimed at processing Copper Concentrate produced by BGM and BZGM, and that to be produced by other mines in future. The opinion herewith is based on the technical and economic factors required for an economically viable Copper Concentrate smelter. The following are the findings and facts:
1. The study has revealed that a commercially viable Copper Concentrate smelter requires a feedstock of not less than 150,000 tonnes per year. At full capacity, BGM and BZGM production is about 60,000 tonnes of Copper Concentrate annually, which would only account for 40% of the capacity of a viable Copper Concentrate smelter. Currently, no commercial-scale proven technologies exist which are suitable for small scale Copper Concentrate smelting of less than 100,000 tonnes per year, but this matter continues to be investigated.
2. A Copper Concentrate smelter of a feedstock of not less than 150,000 tonnes per year would cost between USD 500 million and USD 800 million to construct complete with sulphuric acid plant for purification of fugitive gases emitted from the smelter furnace. This is substantial amount of money. Most planned new Copper Concentrate smelters in the world are in non-free market economies and are heavily supported by local governments directly or indirectly through tariffs.
CONCLUSION
The study concludes that it is currently not feasible for a Copper Concentrate smelter to be constructed in the country to smelt and refine Copper Concentrate produced by BGM and BZGM. However, investors are encouraged to explore more on possibilities of discovering copper deposits which will warrant for installation of a Copper Concentrate smelter in the Country. TMAA will continue strengthening monitoring and auditing of Copper Concentrate
production and exports activities by BGM and BZGM so as to ensure that the Government reaps maximum benefits from the product.
NOTE: Full Report attached!