DODOMA, Nov. 27 -- THE government has intensified efforts to open opportunities for young Tanzanians in the mining sector after cancelling 73 exploration and medium-to-large-scale mining licences whose holders failed to comply with legal requirements.

Speaking in Dodoma, Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde said the cancellation clears 3,002 square kilometres, about 741,000 acres which will now be reallocated to support the Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow (MBT) youth programme, in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassans directives.

He said the move will remove long-standing barriers that prevented youth from accessing mining areas, noting that several licence holders had abandoned sites, violated licence conditions or failed to develop...