Resources Use Conflicts in Tanzania. A Case Study of Mirerani Tanzanite Mining Area in Manyara Region
Simon Peter Kaaya – Ward Executive Officer, Bwawani Ward, Arusha District Council
Nabahani Kimboka – Tengeru Institute of Community Development
Email: kimboka83@gmail.com
Abstract: Tanzanite mining in Mirerani, Manyara Region, Tanzania, represents a unique resource ecosystem where high-value gemstone extraction intersects with complex social, institutional and political dynamics. This study examined the root causes and dynamics of Tanzanite resource-use conflicts, employing a qualitative case study design to capture perspectives from 121 stakeholders, including small-scale miners, investors, brokers and local authorities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and document review and analyzed thematically to identify recurrent patterns and relationships. Findings reveal interrelated drivers of conflict: inadequate underground demarcation and mining boundaries, inconsistent implementation of mining policies, selfishness and lack of ethical leadership, differences among miners and between miners and investors, limited education and awareness and political interference coupled with corruption. The study demonstrates that conflicts are multidimensional, arising not solely from resource scarcity but from governance gaps, structural asymmetries and social and behavioral factors that erode trust, legitimacy and compliance. By integrating Common-Pool Resource Theory and Resource Abundance Frameworks, the research highlights that sustainable conflict mitigation requires coordinated technical, institutional and human-centered interventions. Key recommendations include strengthening miners’ education and capacity, enhancing participatory governance, revising policies to reflect local realities, improving institutional oversight and promoting evidence-based research to inform policy and practice. The study contributes to theoretical and practical understandings of artisanal mining conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa, offering actionable guidance for fostering equitable, transparent and sustainable resource governance in high-value extractive sectors.
