Chinese firm confirms rare earth discovery in Tanzania's Njombe Region
2026-05-25 17:57:54 [Print]
Hongji Mining Co. Ltd, a Chinese company operating in partnership with the Tanzanian government, has confirmed the presence of neodymium and praseodymium within the 280-square-kilometre Mkiu project area, Ludewa District, Njombe Region, after completing its first phase of exploration. Environmental impact assessments and community compensation agreements are now in progress, with over US$350,000--equivalent to roughly TZS 1 billion--already paid to affected residents.
According to a 2025 geological assessment, Tanzania's rare earth oxide reserve estimate stands at 887,000 tonnes, with advanced resources exceeding 3.3 million tonnes, placing the country among Africa's most significant rare earth geographies. The continent as a whole holds an estimated 1,956,000 tonnes of rare earth oxide reserves, with advanced resources surpassing 10.1 million tonnes across at least a dozen nations. The Njombe discovery adds to Tanzania's existing inventory of critical minerals--which includes graphite at Mahenge and Epanko, nickel at Kabanga, and helium in the Rukwa Basin--creating a diversified portfolio across multiple energy transition supply chains that is increasingly drawing international investor and government interest.
According to a 2025 geological assessment, Tanzania's rare earth oxide reserve estimate stands at 887,000 tonnes, with advanced resources exceeding 3.3 million tonnes, placing the country among Africa's most significant rare earth geographies. The continent as a whole holds an estimated 1,956,000 tonnes of rare earth oxide reserves, with advanced resources surpassing 10.1 million tonnes across at least a dozen nations. The Njombe discovery adds to Tanzania's existing inventory of critical minerals--which includes graphite at Mahenge and Epanko, nickel at Kabanga, and helium in the Rukwa Basin--creating a diversified portfolio across multiple energy transition supply chains that is increasingly drawing international investor and government interest.
