Mwamba Mining has been highlighted as a notable success story in a recent World Gold Council report examining the role of processing plants in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). The report, “The Role of Gold Processing Plants in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining,” specifically identifies Mwamba’s operations in Tanzania as an innovative approach to mercury-free gold processing on page 18 of the study.
“We’re honored to be recognized for our work in developing sustainable solutions for artisanal gold mining,” said Eduard Cornew, Co-Founder and President of Mwamba Mining. “This report validates what we’ve been building in Tanzania over the past several years.”
The World Gold Council report specifically references Mwamba’s processing plant, Buziba, established in Geita District in 2023, noting it as “the only integrated extraction-processing operation… recently established in Geita between Mwamba Mining and ASGM primary mining licence (PML) holders.” According to the report, the plant began operations in November 2024 with a processing capacity of 500 tonnes per day and plans to expand to 1,000 tonnes daily by the end of 2025.
The report highlights Mwamba’s approach to sourcing ore through partnerships with licensed ASGM mine site operators, as well as their plans to purchase tailings from local gravity or vat leaching processing plants to help clean up the local environment.
“This recognition validates our belief that economic incentives are the key to environmental progress,” said Thomas Cornew, Co-Founder and CEO of Mwamba Mining. “By making mercury-free processing more profitable for miners, we’ve created a sustainable model that can transform the sector.”
The World Gold Council report emphasizes that processing plants like those operated by Mwamba can significantly enhance gold recovery rates, boosting miners’ incomes while benefiting communities and governments through increased tax revenues. It also notes that Mwamba implements “strict ESG and due diligence practices” and is revamping its sourcing procedures to align with London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) standards.
Founded in 2018, Mwamba has pioneered an approach to artisanal gold mining that eliminates mercury use through its innovative processing methods. The company’s technology not only protects the environment but has demonstrated that miners can achieve significantly higher yields and incomes by adopting cleaner technologies.
The artisanal mining sector represents a critical environmental challenge in Tanzania, which is Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer. According to the World Gold Council, ASGM contributes approximately 20-30% of Tanzania’s gold production (5.3-9.8 tonnes per year) and involves over 1.2 million miners. Globally, the sector contributes approximately 40% of worldwide anthropogenic mercury emissions, releasing over 1,400 tons of mercury to the environment each year.
Mwamba’s recognition in the World Gold Council report comes as part of a growing international focus on identifying and scaling successful models for responsible artisanal mining. The company’s approach addresses both environmental concerns and economic realities by providing small-scale miners with access to modern processing technologies that eliminate the need for harmful mercury use while improving their livelihoods.
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Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Daily. He is responsible for overseeing other editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and covering breaking news.
