African exploration company Mantra Tanzania has secured environmental impact assessment certificate to commence uranium extraction at its Mkuju River uranium project in Namtumbo district, Ruvuma region.
Minister for Energy and Minerals Sospeter Muhongo told The Guardian Tanzania that the government has taken necessary measures through local and overseas experts to ensure that there are no environmental impacts due to mining activities.
"We will dig uranium mining even if there is a distortion from the effects of the mines," added Muhongo.
The government expects to gross investments worth $1bn in Tanzania over the period of mine life, besides generating direct and indirect cash flows of about $640m in the country.
European commission, meanwhile, extended its support in extracting uranium efficiently as it can reduce energy deficiency in the country.
Mkuju river project is the first Tanzanian uranium project that has been granted mining approval and it reportedly hosts resource of 119.4 million pounds of uranium.
Besides, Mantra Tanzania is a subsidiary of Mantra Resources that was wholly acquired by Russian uranium company AtomRedMetZoloto (ARMZ) in 2012.