The mining industry is a key economic driver in Tanzania, with more than 10% of the country’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being contributed by the mining sector. The most prominent mined materials in Tanzania include gold, which at present accounts for a significant portion of the country’s total export revenue. However, it also holds vital deposits of tanzanite, as well as graphite, nickel, and cobalt. Thus, global mining giants such as AngloGold Ashanti operate across the country’s mines to deliver these vital minerals to market. In the process, AngloGold can drive economic development and solidify the country’s place as a key global mining hub.
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AngloGold Ashanti was formed in 2004 to deliver a global mining giant that combined AngloGold and Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited. Over the last 20 years, the company has been developing a diverse and high-quality asset portfolio of projects and exploration activities in some of the world’s most prolific gold mining regions. Many of its operations span Africa, with significant mines in Ghana, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Egypt. However, one of its most vital mines is in Tanzania, where it operates the Geita Mine, which is a flagship mining operation for the company. The Geita Mine is located in North-Western Tanzania and sits within the Mwanza goldfield region, which is one of Africa’s most prolific gold-producing areas.
In 1966, the first deposits were discovered, of what would later be known as the Geita Mine. Over the next 30 years, vast mining operations began across the region, and by 1996, 3 mines had been established with close to 1 million ounces (Moz) of gold produced. The project was acquired by Ashanti in the same year, following the acquisition of Cluff Resources. By December 2000, Ashanti had reached an agreement with AngloGold to sell it a 50% share interest in Geita for $324 million. As part of the deal, AngloGold added its neighbouring Nyamulilima Hill Deposits, which formed a joint venture company between the two, spanning the Geita and the Nyamulilima Hill deposits. Just four years later, following the merger of AngloGold and Ashanti, the entire project became wholly owned by the new AngloGold Ashanti company.
Today, the Geita Mine is home to an underground mining operation at Nyankanga and an open-pit mining operation at Nyamulilima. Across these operations, the mining complex has 3.25 million ounces of gold mineral reserve, and 483,000 ounces of gold production. Collectively, the project has a capital expenditure of $196 million. However, alongside the mine, AngloGold Ashanti has a carbon-in-leach plant that processes the hard ore mined across the site. This has an annual capacity of 5.3 megatons (Mt) and is supported by an established tailing storage facility. Furthermore, the mine has access to a full workshop facility, which supports the maintenance of both heavy mining equipment and light support equipment.
In November 2025, Alberto Calderon, speaking during the third-quarter results presentation, outlined a significant investment in the mine. AngloGold Ashanti is implementing a growth strategy, which aims to increase the mineral reserves from the Geita Mine by roughly 50%, and in the process extend the mine’s life to 10 years or more by the end of 2028. The development is part of an estimated $100 million expansion plan, and will include the upgrading of the mine’s mill, whilst accelerating its underground exploration operations.
Speaking on the expansion in the third-quarter results presentation, Alberto Calderon, CEO of AngloGold Ashanti, says, “After two decades of mining, large parts of the concession remain under-explored with compelling structural and geotechnical targets pointing to significant potential.” Calderon continues, “We’re now showcasing the next chapter for Gaita, a mine positioned to remain a Tier-1 asset for at least the next 20 years, but in reality, it’s going to be much longer than that”. Calderon’s comments highlight just how vital the Geita Mine is for Tanzania, especially as it works to enhance its life of mine to deliver continued resources for the country, and in the process, economic development for Tanzania.
Throughout AngloGold Ashanti’s operations in Tanzania, sustainability remains a vital strategy alongside its mining operations. AngloGold Ashanti aims to be a responsible steward of the environments in which it operates, and so it focuses on creating value through revenue, salaries, wages, and benefits for employees. Then, for the local community, AngloGold Ashanti has social and economic development programs which centre on community resilience and empowerment. Alongside community focused projects, AngloGold Ashanti is also focused on delivering net-zero emissions by 2050 through the implementation of clean and renewable energy throughout its operations.
However, one of the central missions of AngloGold Ashanti is to advance Tanzania’s mining sector through sustainable activities. A key way the company has implemented this across the Geita mine is through the commissioning of a 40MW power plant that would power the mine’s operations. The plant comprises four diesel generators and provides a reliable stream of power supply to all mining activities. The plant was first commissioned in 2018, but by 2020, the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) initiated plans to supply electricity from the national grid network to the mine, which connected it with the local Mpomvu village. A 33/11kV 60MVA mine substation is currently in the implementation stage.
With its operations and power supply so closely linked with the local community, AngloGold Ashanti is also committed to the sustainable development of the communities surrounding the mine development. Over the years, the company has demonstrated its vital role within the local community by partnering with the Government to improve social services, including education, health, water, and road infrastructure, as well as other economic activities to support the communities surrounding the mine. Since 2017, the Geita mine has contributed more than TZS 30 billion towards community projects in partnership with local authorities. This investment in the local community highlights AngloGold Ashanti’s commitment to delivering value not just for the mining industry but for those living and working across the Geita mine area.
Across the Geita Mine, AngloGold Ashanti is bringing vital development and mining resources to Tanzania, supported by its commitment to sustainability and the local community. With the Geita Mine continuing to be developed to extend its life of mine to 10 years, AngloGold Ashanti is focused on delivering long-term mined resources for Tanzania. These resources continue to cement Tanzania as a leading gold producer in Africa, underpinned by AngloGold Ashanti’s expertise in the mining sector.
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