The North Mara Gold Mine is an operational gold mine located in the Tarime District of the Mara Region in northern Tanzania, approximately 50 kilometers south of the Kenya-Tanzania border. It is situated near the town of Nyang'oma and should not be confused with Msasani Peninsula, a residential and commercial area in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city. The mine is operated by Twiga Minerals, a subsidiary of Canadian mining company Barrick Gold Corporation.
The North Mara Gold Mine began commercial production in 2002 and has since been one of Tanzania’s significant contributors to gold output. The mine operates through both open-pit and underground mining methods, extracting gold from multiple ore bodies including Nyabigena, North East, and Gokona. According to Barrick Gold’s operational reports, the mine produced approximately 233,000 ounces of gold in 2022..jpg)
Environmental and social concerns have been associated with the North Mara Gold Mine over the years. Reports from human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch have documented incidents involving local communities, including allegations of security force misconduct and land disputes dating back to the late 2000s. In response, Barrick has implemented community development programs and enhanced security protocols in collaboration with local authorities.
The Msasani Peninsula, located in Dar es Salaam along the Indian Ocean coast, is unrelated geographically or operationally to the North Mara Gold Mine. It is a well-known urban neighborhood hosting diplomatic missions, residential complexes, and commercial centers. The confusion between these two locations may arise from their mention within broader discussions about Tanzanian infrastructure or business activity but they are over 1,200 kilometers apart.
Barrick Gold maintains that it adheres to international mining standards at North Mara, focusing on sustainable practices, environmental management systems certified under ISO 14001, and ongoing engagement with local stakeholders. The Tanzanian government retains a 16% carried interest in the mine under the country’s mining legislation revised in 2017..jpg)
Sources:
- Barrick Gold Corporation – North Mara Mine Overview (barrick.com)
- Human Rights Watch – "All That Glitters Is Not Gold" (2011 report on North Mara)
- Tanzania Ministry of Minerals – Mining Act and Regulations (2017)
- U.S. Geological Survey – Mineral Commodity Summaries (2023)