Tanzania’s El Niño rains force STAMICO to rethink mining preparedness across vulnerable remote operations

DODOMA: The State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) is stepping up preparations for the expected effects of El Niño rains after the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) warned that rainfall will intensify in several parts of the country from the fourth week of September through October.

The preparedness drive followed a meeting between TMA Director General Dr Ladislaus Chang’a and STAMICO management, employees and experts. The engagement was aimed at improving understanding of El Niño conditions and demonstrating how timely weather information can be incorporated into planning and day-to-day activities.

STAMICO Acting Managing Director Deusdedith Magala said the corporation was taking the forecast seriously because much of its work is conducted away from urban centres, where heavy rainfall can quickly affect access, field operations and production.

“Minerals are mined in remote areas, not in towns. Therefore, our people are scattered across those areas. When it rains heavily, we cannot continue working because our activities involve mining, mineral exploration and mineral processing, all of which are greatly affected by rain,” he said.

His explanation highlights why weather information has become an important part of operational planning for the corporation. Mining and related activities often require workers, equipment and materials to reach sites that may become difficult to access when rainfall increases. Prolonged or intense rain can therefore interrupt schedules and reduce the amount of work that can be completed.

Magala said the implications extend beyond temporary interruptions. A substantial share of STAMICO’s revenue is generated from activities conducted in those areas, meaning disruptions caused by heavy rainfall could affect production and, ultimately, the corporation’s income.

That prospect has prompted STAMICO to strengthen communication with employees working in different parts of the country. Magala said the corporation would continue educating its staff and ensuring they closely follow weather information and guidance issued by TMA.

During the meeting, Dr Chang’a confirmed that El Niño conditions were present and said TMA expected rainfall to strengthen in various parts of Tanzania towards the end of September and during early October. He outlined the expected progression of rainfall, giving institutions and communities a clearer picture of when different areas could experience increased precipitation.

According to Dr Chang’a, rainfall was expected to begin intensifying in the Lake Victoria zone from the fourth week of September and the first week of October. The areas specifically identified include Geita, Kagera, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Mara regions.

The forecast then extends to the northeastern highlands. Dr Chang’a said rainfall was expected to begin in Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Manyara regions during the first and second weeks of October.

Northern coastal areas were also included in the outlook. Tanga, Dar es Salaam, northern Morogoro, Pwani and Mafia, together with the islands of Unguja and Pemba, were expected to begin receiving rainfall during the first and second weeks of October. Dr Chang’a said rainfall in the identified areas was expected to range from average to above average.

Dr Chang’a therefore urged the public and institutions to continue with their normal economic and social activities while paying close attention to information issued by TMA. The message was not to halt activities, but to make informed decisions based on changing weather conditions.

“People should continue with their economic and social activities, but we should continue to closely monitor the weather information issued by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority,” he said.

To support such decisions, TMA will continue issuing different forms of weather information. Dr Chang’a said the authority would provide seasonal forecasts, alongside 10-day and five-day forecasts and daily weather updates. Such information is intended to help stakeholders plan and implement economic and social activities in line with prevailing weather conditions.

Dr Chang’a also called on members of the public to follow guidance from government leaders and advice from professionals in relevant sectors. He said stronger planning and preparedness would help reduce potential impacts associated with changing weather conditions.

The TMA chief further stressed the importance of cooperation between the meteorological authority and institutions such as STAMICO. Effective collaboration, he said, can help ensure that weather information is not merely received but properly interpreted and applied when production activities are planned and implemented.

For STAMICO, the engagement has provided an opportunity to connect meteorological information directly with the realities of mining operations. Magala said the education provided by TMA had helped employees better understand the expected conditions and how they could continue their responsibilities while observing necessary precautions.

He said the corporation would maintain close monitoring of TMA updates and take appropriate measures based on professional advice. The objective is to minimise potential disruption to mining, mineral exploration and mineral processing activities while protecting the corporation’s ability to maintain operations.

For STAMICO, that translation is especially relevant because its workforce and operations are dispersed across areas where rainfall can directly affect access and productivity. By keeping employees informed and maintaining communication with TMA, the corporation can incorporate weather considerations into operational planning rather than waiting for disruptions to occur.

The expected El Niño rains therefore present both a weather challenge and a planning responsibility. While rainfall is an important part of Tanzania’s seasonal cycle, heavier conditions can create difficulties for activities carried out in exposed and remote locations. Timely forecasts, employee awareness and coordination with technical authorities can help institutions prepare for those conditions.

This is particularly important for mining operations because decisions often involve people, machinery, transport and equipment working together at sites far from major centres. Better access to reliable forecasts can therefore support safer scheduling, timely communication and practical contingency measures when rainfall threatens normal operations or access routes. It can also help managers reduce delays and protect resources when conditions deteriorate.

As September gives way to October, STAMICO’s approach will depend on continued access to updated forecasts and the willingness of operational teams to act on relevant advice. TMA, meanwhile, will continue refining and communicating weather information through seasonal and shorter-term forecasts.

The message emerging from the engagement is straightforward: economic activities should continue, but preparedness must keep pace with changing weather conditions. For STAMICO, that means using scientific forecasts to guide decisions, protecting field operations where possible and reducing avoidable disruption.

The partnership between TMA and STAMICO consequently illustrates how weather information can support production planning beyond simply warning communities about rain. When forecasts are understood and applied appropriately, they can become a practical management tool, helping organisations anticipate risks, organise resources and respond more effectively to changing environmental conditions.

With rainfall expected to strengthen in several regions during the coming weeks, STAMICO’s continued monitoring, staff education and adherence to expert advice will remain central to its efforts to safeguard mining, exploration and processing activities.

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