Natural resources of Tanzania
Oil, gas, minerals, forests and water in Tanzania: what it produces, how it ranks in the world, who mines it and what it earns. Every figure is from an official source and is updated when the source is.
Resource rents, share of GDP (2021)
6.7 %
Resources, share of goods exports (2025)
57.0 %
Natural gas, billion cubic metres (2024)
2.0
Forest, share of land (2024)
49.6 %
Source: World Bank; UN Comtrade; U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Oil, gas and coal
It produced 2 billion cubic metres of natural gas in 2024. Proved gas reserves were 6.5 billion cubic metres in 2021. Coal output was 1,856 thousand tonnes in 2024.
View the data as a table
| Period | Production | Exports |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| 2011 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| 2012 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| 2013 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| 2014 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| 2015 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| 2016 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| 2017 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| 2018 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| 2019 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| 2020 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| 2021 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| 2022 | 1.8 | 0.0 |
| 2023 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| 2024 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Data. Last checked 24 October 2026.
| Graphite | 75,000 | metric tons | 3 | 4.2 | 2 | 18,000,000 metric tons |
| Pumice And Pumicite | 350 | thousand metric tons | 13 | 1.8 | 5 | Not published |
| Rare Earths | — | metric tons | Not published | Not published | Not published | 890,000 metric tons |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Mining and minerals
The U.S. Geological Survey records 35 mineral commodities with published production in Tanzania between 2017 and 2021, from metals and gemstones to industrial minerals and fuels. The table includes processed products such as cement and steel, which USGS reports alongside raw minerals.
Showing 35 of 35
| Bauxite | Metals | Not published | 12,090 | 10,796 | Not published | 25,995 | 38,142 | 2018: r; 2019: -- |
| Metal, secondary | Metals | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 2,062 | 3,122 | 2017: --; 2018: --; 2019: -- |
| Copper, mine, concentrates, Cu content | Metals | Not published | 2,748 | 730 | 14,186 | 1,706 | 1,521 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Gold, mine, Au content | Metals | kilograms | 43,490 | 39,304 | 48,408 | 55,508 | 59,638 | Not published |
| Raw steel | Metals | Not published | 250,000 | 310,000 | 280,000 | 260,000 | 260,000 | 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Products, rolled | Metals | Not published | 183,337 | 224,402 | 203,018 | 191,365 | 190,000 | 2021: e |
| Lead, refinery, secondary | Metals | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 2,768 | 3,429 | 2017: --; 2018: --; 2019: -- |
| Silver, mine, Ag content | Metals | kilograms | 10,911 | 12,262 | 12,607 | 13,187 | 9,324 | 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Tin, mine, Sn content | Metals | Not published | 91 | 8 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 2019: r; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Cement, hydraulic | Industrial Minerals | thousand metric tons | 4,398 | 4,459 | 6,514 | 6,496 | 6,531 | 2017: r; 2018: r |
| Clay, kaolin | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 13,816 | 129,383 | 15,343 | 98,454 | 100,950 | Not published |
| Diamond, gem and industrial | Industrial Minerals | carats | 304,456 | 381,302 | 416,750 | 147,191 | 100,732 | 2018: r |
| Alexandrite | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Amethyst | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 19,937 | 20,000 | 20,000 | 18,000 | 20,000 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Aquamarine | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 5,967 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 5,400 | 6,000 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Emerald | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Garnet | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 131,278 | 130,000 | 130,000 | 110,000 | 130,000 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Quartz | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 71,275 | 71,000 | 71,000 | 64,000 | 71,000 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Ruby | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 20,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 | 18,000 | 20,000 | Not published |
| Sapphire | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 500 | 500 | 500 | 450 | 500 | Not published |
| Sunstone | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 9,377 | 9,400 | 9,400 | 8,500 | 9,400 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Tanzanite | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 21,582 | 32,000 | 42,000 | 51,542 | 52,000 | 2018: r, e; 2019: r, e; 2021: e |
| Tourmaline | Industrial Minerals | kilograms | 33,041 | 33,000 | 33,000 | 30,000 | 33,000 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Gypsum, mine | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 123,645 | 241,259 | 256,529 | 443,926 | 598,053 | Not published |
| Lime | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 26,918 | 18,000 | Not published | Not published | Not published | 2018: r, e; 2019: --; 2020: --; 2021: -- |
| Phosphate rock, gross weight | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 15,896 | Not published | Not published | 28,376 | 24,493 | 2018: --; 2019: -- |
| P2O5 content | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 4,600 | Not published | Not published | 8,200 | 7,100 | 2017: e; 2018: --; 2019: --; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Pumice and related materials, pozzolan, materials | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 79,085 | 91,645 | 263,064 | 160,078 | 216,934 | Not published |
| Salt, all types | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 100,017 | 36,392 | 99,510 | 83,974 | 112,995 | Not published |
| Sand and gravel, sand | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 7,743,254 | 6,900,000 | 7,700,000 | 8,500,000 | 8,500,000 | 2018: r, e; 2019: r, e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Crushed, limestone | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 3,300,899 | 2,944,000 | 5,527,000 | 6,788,000 | 6,800,000 | 2021: e |
| Calcite | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2018: e; 2019: e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Marble | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 42,729 | 22,000 | 13,000 | 7,100 | 7,100 | 2018: r, e; 2019: r, e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Coal, bituminous | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | Not published | 558,553 | 627,652 | 712,136 | 689,989 | 976,319 | Not published |
| Natural gas, marketable millions cubic meters | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | Not published | 1,469 | 1,722 | 1,794 | 1,621 | 1,850 | 2019: r |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook, country tables. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Showing 45 of 45
| Aluminum, refined, secondary | Gravita Tanzania Ltd. (Gravita India Ltd.) | Plant near Dar es Salaam | Not published | Not published |
| Cement | Dangote Cement plc | Plant at Mtwara | Not published | Not published |
| Cement | Tanzania Portland Cement PLC (Scancem International DA, 69.3%) | Plant at Wazo Hill | Not published | Not published |
| Cement | Tanga Cement PLC [AfriSam Consortium (Pty) Ltd., 62.5%] | Plant at Tanga | Not published | Not published |
| Cement | ARM Cement Ltd. | Plant at Dar es Salaam | Not published | Not published |
| Cement | Mbeya Cement Company Ltd. (LafargeHolcim Ltd., 61.5%) | Plant at Mbeya | Not published | Not published |
| Cement | Lake Cement Ltd. | Plant at Kimbiji | Not published | Not published |
| Cement | Kisarawe Cement Ltd. | Plant at Nazimuzubwi | Not published | Not published |
| Coal, bituminous | Intra Energy Corporation Ltd., 70%, and National Development Corp., 30% | Ngaka Mine in Ruvumu District | Not published | Not published |
| Coal, bituminous | Edenville Energy plc | Rukwa Mine near Sumbawanga | Not published | Not published |
| Copper, mine | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mine at Mbesa | Not published | Not published |
| Copper, mine | Twiga Minerals Corp. (Barrick Gold Corp., 100%) | Buzwagi Mine in Shinyanga Region | Not published | Not published |
| Copper, mine | Twiga Minerals Corp. (Barrick Gold Corp., 100%) | Bulyanhulu Mine near Kahama | Not published | Not published |
| Diamond | Williamson Diamonds Ltd. (Petra Diamonds Ltd., 75% and Government, 25%) | Williamson Mine near Shinyanga | Not published | carats |
| Diamond | El Hillal Minerals Ltd. | Mine near Shinyanga | Not published | carats |
| Diamond | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mine near Shinyanga | Not published | carats |
| Emerald | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines near Lake Manyara | Not published | Not published |
| Ruby | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mundarara Mine near Longido | Not published | Not published |
| Tanzanite | TanzaniteOne Mining Ltd. [Sky Associates Ltd., 50% and State Mining Corp. (STAMICO), 50%] | Mine at Merelani, Block C | Not published | kilograms |
| Tanzanite | Kilimanjaro Mines Ltd. | Mine at Merelani, Block A | Not published | kilograms |
| Tanzanite | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines at Merelani, Blocks B and D | Not published | kilograms |
| Tanzanite | Tanzanite Africa Ltd. (IPP Media Ltd.) | Mine at Merelani, Block D Extension | Not published | kilograms |
| Gold | Twiga Minerals Corp. (Barrick Gold Corp., 100%) | North Mara Mine in Tarime District | Not published | kilograms |
| Gold | Twiga Minerals Corp. (Barrick Gold Corp., 100%) | Bulyanhulu Mine near Kahama | Not published | kilograms |
| Gold | Twiga Minerals Corp. (Barrick Gold Corp., 100%) | Buzwagi Mine in Shinyanga Region | Not published | kilograms |
| Gold | Geita Gold Mining Ltd. (AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., 100%) | Geita Mine near Nyakabale | Not published | kilograms |
| Gold | Shanta Gold Ltd. | New Luika Mine in Songwe Region | Not published | kilograms |
| Gold | Stamigold Co. Ltd. [State Mining Corp. (STAMICO)] | Biharamulo Mine in Kagera Region | Not published | kilograms |
| Gold | Artisanal and small-scale miners | Mines in various locations | Not published | kilograms |
| Lead, refined, secondary | Gravita Tanzania Ltd. (Gravita India Ltd.) | Plant near Dar es Salaam | Not published | Not published |
| Lime | Neelkanth Lime Ltd. | Plant at Tanga | Not published | Not published |
| Lime | Athi River Mining Ltd. (ARM) | Plant at Tanga | Not published | Not published |
| Natural gas million | Etablissements Maurel et Prom SA, 48.06%; Wentworth Resources plc, 31.94%; Tanzania Petroleum Development Corp., 20% | Gasfield at Mnazi Bay | Not published | Not published |
| Natural gas million | Orca Exploration Group Inc. | Gasfield on Songo Songo Island | Not published | Not published |
| Phosphate rock | Minjingu Mines and Fertilizers Ltd. (Mac Group of Companies) | Mine at Minjingu | Not published | Not published |
| Salt | Nyanza Mines (Tanganyika) Ltd. (Mac Group of Companies) | Nyanza Mines at Uvinza | Not published | Not published |
| Silver | Twiga Minerals Corp. (Barrick Gold Corp., 100%) | Bulyanhulu Mine near Kahama | Not published | kilograms |
| Silver | Twiga Minerals Corp. (Barrick Gold Corp., 100%) | Buzwagi Mine in Shinyanga Region | Not published | kilograms |
| Silver | Twiga Minerals Corp. (Barrick Gold Corp., 100%) | North Mara Mine in Tarime District | Not published | kilograms |
| Silver | Shanta Gold Ltd. | New Luika Mine in Songwe Region | Not published | kilograms |
| Silver | Geita Gold Mining Ltd. (AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., 100%) | Geita Mine near Nyakabale | Not published | kilograms |
| Steel | Aluminum Africa Ltd. | Plant at Dar es Salaam | Not published | Not published |
| Steel | MM Integrated Steel Mills Ltd. | Plant at Dar es Salaam | Not published | Not published |
| Steel | Aluminum Africa Ltd. | Plant at Dar es Salaam | Not published | Not published |
| Steel | MM Integrated Steel Mills Ltd. | Plant at Dar es Salaam | Not published | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook 2019, Tanzania. Last checked 24 October 2026.
What natural resources earn
Natural resource rents were 6.7% of GDP in 2021, with minerals the largest part. That ranks Tanzania 29th of 54 African countries. See all 54.
View the data as a table
| Period | Natural gas | Minerals | Coal | Forests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.2 % | 1.6 % | 0.0 % | 3.8 % |
| 2011 | 0.1 % | 3.2 % | 0.0 % | 4.0 % |
| 2012 | 0.2 % | 2.6 % | 0.0 % | 4.0 % |
| 2013 | 0.1 % | 2.0 % | 0.0 % | 3.7 % |
| 2014 | 0.1 % | 1.2 % | 0.0 % | 3.7 % |
| 2015 | 0.1 % | 1.2 % | 0.0 % | 4.0 % |
| 2016 | 0.1 % | 1.5 % | 0.0 % | 4.1 % |
| 2017 | 0.1 % | 1.2 % | 0.0 % | 3.8 % |
| 2018 | 0.2 % | 0.8 % | 0.0 % | 2.6 % |
| 2019 | 0.2 % | 1.0 % | 0.0 % | 2.3 % |
| 2020 | 0.1 % | 1.2 % | 0.0 % | 2.5 % |
| 2021 | 0.2 % | 4.0 % | 0.0 % | 2.4 % |
| 2022 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2023 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2024 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2025 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2026 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Forest, share of land (2024)
49.6 %
Arable land, share of land (2024)
15.5 %
Renewable fresh water per person (2022)
1,298 m³
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Method and sources
Oil, gas and coal output and coal reserves are from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil and gas proved reserves are the EIA figures republished by Our World in Data; oil is converted from cubic metres to barrels at the standard factor. World production, reserves and ranks are from the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries, ranked among the countries USGS names. The full list of commodities and the companies that mine them are from the USGS Minerals Yearbook country tables, which run a few years behind. Rents, land and water are from the World Bank, and export shares from UN Comtrade. Nothing is estimated by us. Figures last checked on 24 October 2026.
USGS country page for Tanzania. EIA international energy data. World Bank resource rents.
Frequently asked questions
What natural resources does Tanzania have?
Tanzania's main natural resources are natural gas, coal and graphite. It was the world's 3rd largest producer of graphite in 2025, with 4.2% of world output. Gold, diamonds and precious metals made up 49.2% of its goods exports in 2025, and all resources together 57%. The World Bank puts natural resource rents at 6.7% of GDP in 2021, mostly from minerals. The U.S. Geological Survey also records production of bauxite, copper, gold, products, silver and tin, among 27 mineral commodities.
Does Tanzania produce oil?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration records no meaningful crude oil production for Tanzania in 2025.
What is Tanzania's most valuable natural resource?
By export earnings, gold, diamonds and precious metals: 49.2% of goods exports in 2025, according to UN Comtrade.
How much do natural resources contribute to Tanzania's economy?
Natural resource rents, the value of resources extracted minus the cost of extracting them, were 6.7% of GDP in 2021. That ranks Tanzania 29th of 54 African countries.
Which companies mine in Tanzania?
The U.S. Geological Survey's 2019 list of Tanzania's mineral industry names 27 operating companies, including Gravita Tanzania Ltd., Dangote Cement plc, Tanzania Portland Cement PLC, Tanga Cement PLC [AfriSam Consortium and ARM Cement Ltd.. The full list is on this page.
Where does Tanzania rank in world mineral production?
In 2025, Tanzania ranked 3rd for graphite and 13th for pumice and pumicite among the producers the U.S. Geological Survey lists.