Tanzania signs graphite mining deals with Swala, Grafica in Lindi

Tanzania has signed two new agreements aimed at expanding graphite mining and strengthening investment in the country’s mineral sector, as the government steps up efforts to move beyond raw mineral exports. 

The deals were signed on May 30, 2026, in Ruangwa District, Lindi Region, by the Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde. They involve Eminent Minerals Limited operating through Swala Graphite Corporation Limited, and Grafica Resources Limited through its joint venture, Grafica Graphite Corporation Limited. 

The agreements cover graphite extraction projects in Ruangwa, a district that has increasingly attracted mining interest due to its mineral deposits.

Jobs, local content and community focus 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mavunde said the projects are expected to do more than expand mining output. He noted that they are also intended to create jobs, build technical skills, and increase local participation in the sector. 

He directed the companies to prioritise hiring residents from nearby wards, including Nambilanje, Narungo’mbe and Chunyu, saying local communities should benefit directly from activities taking place in their areas. 

Government officials say this approach is part of a broader policy to ensure mining projects contribute to employment and skills transfer, particularly for young people entering technical fields tied to resource development.

Moving up the value chain 

Mavunde also restated the government’s goal of increasing domestic processing of minerals rather than exporting them in raw form. He said Tanzania wants to build capacity in processing, battery production, and related industries linked to graphite. 

According to him, expanding local processing will help the country capture more value from its natural resources while deepening industrial development. 

“We want to see more investment in processing these minerals within the country, the production of modern batteries, and industries that will be built on the basis of these important resources. That is why we continue to promote the local content policy so that Tanzanians can fully participate in the economy generated by these projects,” he said.

Mining firms target processing growth

Swala Graphite Corporation Limited is a Tanzanian-owned joint venture operating in the country’s critical minerals sector, with a focus on graphite development. 

Grafica Resources Limited operates as a mining and processing company in Ruangwa District, while Grafica Graphite Corporation Limited serves as its Tanzanian joint venture vehicle for exploration and development activities. 

Grafica advances early processing role

Ruangwa District has emerged as one of the key areas in Tanzania’s graphite development push, alongside other parts of the Lindi Region. Officials say the projects are part of efforts to position the country within the global supply chain for battery minerals used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. 

Tanzania has in recent years increased attention on graphite as global demand rises, driven by the energy transition. Industry players such as Grafica Graphite Corporation Limited are expected to play a role in both extraction and early-stage processing as the sector develops. Government officials maintain that stronger partnerships with both local and foreign investors will be central to building a more structured mining value chain over the long term.

With new projects advancing in Lindi Region, the government is seeking to keep more value within the country by encouraging local processing and deeper participation across the supply chain, rather than reliance on raw exports.