Tanzania will likely escape the list of source of Africa’s conflict minerals following the Us’ pledge to ease restrictions in the new legislation that classifies it as a source of conflict minerals in Africa.

Dr Peter Kafumu commissioner of Minerals in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals said that the decision was reached after the government of Tanzania requested the Security Exchange Commission, SEC for a special consideration.

According to Tanzania’s state run news daily, Tanzanian miners continue to support a new legislation as it targets miners who use illegal means such as child labor. The law known as Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the supply of minerals mined in eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tanzania is Africa's fourth-largest gold producer with its production rising from 40.9 tonnes in 2009 to 44.6 tonnes in 2010. The legislation identifies gold, tungsten, tin and tantalite from the DRC and the nine adjoining countries conflict minerals. Other adjoining countries identified in the new law,include Tanzania, Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Congo, Angola.

Dr Kafumu said that over 61% of the total gold produced by the countries adjoined to DRC countries cited in the US legislation is produced in Tanzania. Tanzania’sdelegation that constituted the ministry of energy and minerals officials, Tanzania Chamber of Minerals and Energy and the Attorney General have been in talks with two US legislators, Mr Dodd and Mr Frank who proposed the new legislation as well as State Department officials.

The US government is also studying the possibility of making adjustments that would not hinder mining operations in the adjoining countries. Tanzania’s value of gold produced in Tanzania in 2010 jumped to USD 1.77 billion from USD 1.076 billion in the same period a year earlier.

(Filed by Matsiko Mike Steelguru Uganda correspondent)