Dar es Salaam — Tanzania is preparing a manual for small-scale miners.

The scheme under Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project (SMMRP) is meant to support the development and transformation of small scale mining.

"We are now calling for local and international eligible consultant firm to indicate their interest in preparation of the operational manual and coordination of small-scale grant scheme for artisanal and small-scale miners," the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo said last week in Dar es Salaam.

Prof Muhongo said the scope of service under the assignment shall involve the development of small-scale grant operational manual and community procurement handbook for management of small grants financed through the project.

"Primarily, the consultant will also facilitate coordination of the operations of small scale grants that will be centrally managed by the client," Prof Muhongo said.

The new development has come few days after the government and mining companies agreed to a multi stakeholder partnership approach to help formalize the mining sector.

The commitment was made at a pioneering consultative meeting chaired by the Deputy Minister for Minerals, Mr. Steven Masele that brought together various companies from the mining industry, Government ministries and agencies and civil society organizations.

"Geita Gold Mine remains committed to work with all stakeholders to achieve these goals and have a positive impact on the communities in which we work and live", he said.

The commitment comes at a time when the government has made significant efforts in collaboration with the World Bank to support the sector . Early September this year, government allocated $5.56m (Tsh8.9bn) boost to the small scale miners loan scheme.

According to Mr Ally Samaje, the Acting Commissioners for Minerals in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, small-scale miners will start to have access to the loan by the end of this year.