Fact-finding mission of German MPs to Tanzania on the issue of uranium mining

We are grateful to have had the great experience visiting Tanzania. Sent by the German parliament on our tour  from 8^th- 14^th august we had the possibility to get more insight about the extractive industries in Tanzania, especially about the planned uranium mining in the Bahi region and the North Mara Gold Mine. Also we could pick on the issue of the prospective of the highway through Serengeti national park which will be a threat to the wildlife.

We know that elections are coming up. That is always the time when discussions and decisions are laid of. Some of the asked official meetings weren't possible. We took the chance to drive to villages in vast areas and talked to the people about their perceptions of mining.

Bahi District:

The people around the village Ilindi, North Bahi and Bahi-Swamp told us that they got little information about the backgrounds of Uranium. The explorations on their land were done without discussions with the people. We see, that there is a necessity of informing and education on this very specific issue. People feel helpless if they don't know how to get the knowledge. So many questions are still not answered.  The companies Uranex and Mantraneed to present their concrete plans on uranium mining in this area if they are still up to it.

Regarding extractive Industry it is from utmost interest to work transparently and with great accountability. That Tanzania being a candidate on EITI (Extractive Industry Transparencyinitiative) is definitely a big step forward. We were sorry to hear that the validation process became delayed.

We can see that not also an environmental assessment but also an examination on economic part of uranium for the life of the villages should be done. In the ecological sensitive area of the Bahi-Swamp, which gives people with its rich fish supply and rice farming an economic basic necessity for the community, this is of very high importance.

We regard Uranium because of its radiation not as a mineral like others. Therefore special measurement should be taken into account.

North Mara Gold Mine

On our last day we visited the village ofKewanjaand the company African Barrick Gold. The big investment is attracting many people and illegal actions. The mistrust seems to rise. Until now the company didn't succeed of making a difference to the people around. We learned that several tries didn't work out.But it is very clear that without the involvement of the government and the community level life will not change much.  The problems with spills and pollution need better communication.

We want to thank the organizations FEMAPO (Foundation for Environmental Management and Campaign against Poverty) and CESOPE (Civil Education a solution to Environmental and Poverty) for giving us the opportunity to talk to the people who don't usually have a voice.

 

Ute Koczy, MP, 49 years old, head of delegation, Member of the committee on economic cooperation and development, The Greens/Alliance 90

 

Prof. Egon Jüttner, MP, 68 years old, Member of the committee on human rights, Christian Democratic Party.