Explaining Tanzania ' s Zero-Sum Mining Regimes

Abstract

The mining regime in Tanzania was reformed in the 1990s with the promise that thesector would be a game changer in the efforts to promote economic growth andpoverty reduction. Yet, as time went by, it became apparent that the state was shortchangedin the design of mining codes that are tilted in favour of multinationalcompanies when it comes to getting tangible benefits. With evidence from documentsand interviews of informed persons, this article traces the footprints of key actorswhose interests were decisive in shaping the emerging mining regime. It shows thatthe lopsided nature of the regime is not a mere coincidence but a calculated initiativeto ensure that multinational companies control the mineral resources of the country.