Gemstone processing centre rebuilt in Arusha to add value to minerals

Students at the centre cut and embellish gemstones so as to add value to them. (Photo: Guardian Correspondent)

The successful completion of rehabilitation a major gemstone centre in Arusha is a great achievement for the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, as it facilitates the process of adding value to goods domestically.

 

This was stated by the director of Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources (SMMRP), Idrisa Yahya, at the end of the week during the handover of the centre which was renovated by Kiure Engineering Company. 

“The contractor has managed to work within the scheduled timeframe and has done the work as required,” he said.

 

He added that the project will continue to empower the centre to be able to fulfill its objectives as well as to ensure that it observes professionalism in terms of upgrading minerals thus enabling the mining sector to contribute more to the national economy.

 

He also said that SMMRP aims to enable the centre to provide better training in mineral value addition as it is crucial that the minerals are processed home unlike the current situation whereby the same are shipped overseas in raw form. 

 

“We aim to link this centre with others worldwide which provide such professional training so as to gain experience and exchange knowledge. We want this centre to function as intended and be independent. Therefore, there must be good strategies set put in place.  As for the ministry, it should allocate a budget for the centre to implement its objectives,” he insisted.