The Tanzanian government is expected to finalise an agreement with mining company Mantra Tanzania Limited next month ahead of the development of the Mkuju River project, a uranium mine in southern Tanzania. The project will see the extraction of uranium in an area covering 350 square kilometres within the Selous Game Reserve.
In 2012, Unesco’s World Heritage Committee approved the modification of the reserve’s boundary to make way for the mining activity.
However, the project could bolster anti-poaching efforts in the area.
Mantra Tanzania Limited recently concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism committing to co-operate in the combating of illegal elephant poaching in the Southern Selous Game Reserve.
Mantra is an affiliate of Uranium One, the company responsible for the Mkuju River project.
John Addison, Director of Wild Frontiers, says that while the mining activity could have an impact on the reserve’s wildlife, it is a huge area so any disturbances would probably only result in game moving away. He explains that Selous is a game reserve, not a national park, with areas designated as hunting blocks. “Only a small portion of Selous is reserved for photographic tourism,” he adds.
The MoU states that Mantra and the ministry will fully develop and implement an advanced, innovative anti-poaching programme. Mantra will invest US$800 000 on anti-poaching activities.
Addison believes the mine could actually be a positive move as the mining company has committed to anti-poaching initiatives “as long as it is properly managed and transparent, not just a PR piece”.
Addison adds: “The movement of large numbers of people to the edge of the area to mine will result in more poaching, so this has to be countered, not just in the area but the whole region. Large budgets are needed, not just a token force.”
He says he doesn’t expect the mine to have much impact on tourism as long as it is in an “out of the way” area. “Tanzania needs the income and employment from mining and as long as it is done correctly then it should be allowed,” says Addison.
