Tanzania's government formally renewed the special mining licences for the North Mara gold mine, operated by Barrick Gold, on October 5, 2026 — granting a 15-year extension that secures one of the miner's key African assets and confirms Dar es Salaam's model of shared resource sovereignty.
15 More Years for North Mara
The special mining licences for North Mara — one of East Africa's most productive gold mines — have been renewed for 15 years, giving Barrick Gold long-term visibility on a strategic asset while locking in Tanzania's future revenues from the mining sector.
$5.3 Billion Injected Since 2019
Since the partnership framework between Barrick and Dar es Salaam was restructured in 2019, North Mara and its sister mine Bulyanhulu — both operated through the Twiga Minerals joint structure — have injected $5.3 billion into the Tanzanian economy. In 2025 alone, $1.2 billion was returned through taxes, royalties, wages, dividends and local procurement. That year, Barrick received a formal government commendation as the top dividend contributor and principal contributor to public revenues.
The Tanzanian state holds a 16% equity stake in each mine through Twiga Minerals, ensuring a direct proportional return on production. Over 90% of Barrick's procurement comes from Tanzania-registered businesses, the majority locally owned.
3,000 Jobs, 96% Tanzanian
North Mara employs around 3,000 workers, of whom 96% are Tanzanian nationals and 47% come from communities surrounding the mine sites. Community development committees guide social investment priorities — schools, health clinics, rural roads — turning the mining perimeter into a measurable local development engine.
A Strong Signal in the Global Race for Resources
The renewal comes as global competition for gold and strategic minerals intensifies. Gold prices hit historic highs in 2026, driven by central bank demand and geopolitical uncertainty. Tanzania — one of Africa's top ten gold producers — is positioning itself as a preferred long-term destination for mining capital, amid continent-wide arbitrage among competing jurisdictions.
Why It Matters
The Tanzanian model — 16% direct public stake, 90%-plus local content, community-level redistribution — is precisely what several African states are now trying to replicate as they renegotiate their own mining contracts. This renewal confirms that a stable, equitable partnership framework can generate durable returns for governments, local communities and investors alike. It sends a clear signal to the extractive sector at a moment when major mining groups are weighing their options across competing African destinations.