PRESIDENT MAGUFULI ORDERS THE SUSPENSION OF ISSUANCE OF NEW SPECIAL MINING LICENCES AND RENEWAL OF EXPIRED LICENCES

President Magufuli has ordered the Ministry of Energy and Minerals to suspend the issuance of new special mining licences and renewal of expired licences, a statement from Magufuli's office said.

It was unclear how many companies would be affected.

Speaking at a public rally in northwest Tanzania on Tuesday, Magufuli said he had decided to rush through bills on Monday because Tanzania was fighting an economic war.

"We couldn't wait to pass the laws because of the large scale theft taking place in the mining sector," Magufuli said.

And in March, Magufuli imposed an export ban on unprocessed ore to encourage the construction of local smelters, rather than allow profits from processing to be accrued abroad.

International mining companies have said mining must help to enhance the economic development of Tanzania, but the relationship has to be a fair partnership.

Magufuli has sent shock-waves through the mining community with a series of actions since his election in 2015 that he says are to distribute revenue to the Tanzanian people.