Tanzania: Company woes villagers through sport

  1. Posted on Wednesday 13 October 2010 - 09:05
    Mugini Jacob Mwera
    Image of Mugini Jacob Mwera
    Mugini Jacob, VoicesofAfrica mobile reporter in the Mara region, Tanzania
    The relationship between villagers living near the North Mara Gold Mine and Barrick Africa Gold, a Canadian miner which operates the mine is likely to improve following introduction of soccer competitions that bring the two sides together.
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    The relationship between villagers living near the North Mara Gold Mine and Barrick Africa Gold, a Canadian miner which operates the mine is likely to improve following introduction of soccer competitions that bring the two sides together.

    The first match that involved teams from the local villagers and workers of the mining company was held here last weekend.

    The villagers welcomed the initiative, saying that it might help to end poor relationship that has existed between the Canadian investor and the communities residing near the mine for years.

    ‘Sports will help because when we go back at homes even these they will bring a lot of awareness and our relationship with the mine will be good’, says Mr Sele Chacha.

    Mr Daudi Itembe, a local villager leader describes the soccer cups as a good start but stresses that the mine is suppose to do more than that if it was determined to enhance relationship with the local communities.

    ‘We have also talks with the mine and I believe we are going to open a new page’, the local leader says.

    The Mine's General Manager Mr Kevin Moxam believes that sports will play a significant role to endless conflicts in the mine.

    The mining company has always been complaining that it spends a huge chunk of money to prevent crimes targeting it's operation at the mine that is situated in Tarime district , few kilometers from the world famous Serengeti National Park.

    A number of civilians have been shot dead by police officers for allegedly invading the mine to grab gold sand in the recent years.

    A section of Tanzanians complains that the nation does not reap fruits of mining industry which had attracted serious investors in the past few years.

    Barrick is currently the leading gold mining company investor operating several gold mines in Tanzania.

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