Where a Small Miner Can Legally Sell Gold
A Primary Mining Licence holder may sell the gold they produce, but only through the formal trading system. Since 2019 Tanzania has built a network of government mineral markets and buying centres in mining districts. By May 2026 there were 44 markets and 120 buying centres, including Geita, Mwanza, Chunya, Shinyanga, Songwe, Kigoma, Mara, Manyara, Arusha and Dar es Salaam. Selling outside that system risks confiscation and prosecution.
For Swahili readers, see bei ya dhahabu leo and the market pages for Geita, Chunya and Kahama.
Who Can Buy
| Buyer | What they may do |
|---|---|
| Licensed broker | Buy from authorised miners at the buying stations named in the licence, and sell to a licensed dealer. Tanzanian citizens or local companies only, licensed annually. Cannot export |
| Licensed dealer | Buy from miners and brokers, and apply for export permits. Requires Tanzanian shareholding and a Tanzanian director |
| Bank of Tanzania | Buys gold under its domestic purchase programme and holds a right of first refusal on the domestic set-aside |
| Licensed refineries and smelters | Buy gold for refining in Tanzania |
How a Sale Works at a Mineral Market
- Bring identification and your licence, or documents proving the gold's legal origin
- The gold is weighed in front of you
- Purity is tested to establish its true fineness
- Price is agreed against the Mining Commission's daily indicative price and the measured purity
- Royalty and fees are deducted and receipts issued
- You are paid, and you keep the receipts for your licence and tax records
The indicative price is below the international spot price converted to shillings because it reflects royalties and fees. On 5 September 2026, for example, the indicative price was about TSh 341,008 per gram at mineral markets and TSh 333,430 at buying centres.
The Bank of Tanzania Programme
The Bank of Tanzania's domestic gold purchase programme began on 1 October 2024. For eligible sellers, including mining licence holders, it offers:
- Royalty of 4 percent instead of the standard 6 percent
- Inspection fee waived, normally 1 percent
- Zero-rated VAT on the domestic supply
- Payment within 24 hours of assay confirmation
The central bank has been expanding the network of approved refineries and centres it buys through, and in fiscal year 2025/26 it bought the large majority of gold reported under the programme.
The 20 Percent Domestic Set-Aside
Under the Mining (Minerals and Mineral Concentrates Trading) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, reinforced by the Finance Act 2025, not less than 20 percent of all gold won must be set aside for domestic trading. The Bank of Tanzania holds a pre-emption right over it; if the bank declines, the Mining Commission authorises sale to other eligible domestic buyers such as refineries. Dealers who cannot show compliance are not issued export permits.
For small miners selling through mineral markets, the practical effect is mostly handled by the buyer. It is still worth understanding, because it is why domestic buyers and refineries are actively competing for gold.
Royalties and Fees
| Charge | Rate |
|---|---|
| Royalty, standard | 6% |
| Royalty, sold to the Bank of Tanzania | 4% |
| Royalty, sold to a local refinery | 2% |
| Inspection and clearance fee | 1% (waived under the BoT programme) |
| HIV Response Levy | 0.1% (Finance Act 2025) |
Exporters face further charges, including an export tax on unrefined gold. Rates change with each Finance Act, so confirm current figures before relying on them. A Swahili worked example is on mrabaha na kodi za dhahabu.
Getting More From Every Sale
- Smelt properly. Poorly smelted gold carries impurities, tests at lower fineness and is paid accordingly
- Stop losing gold to tailings. Every gram left in the tailings is a gram never sold. A gravity concentrator or leach circuit often pays for itself on that alone
- Replace mercury. Mercury-recovered sponge gold carries residual mercury and is dangerous to burn off. See mercury-free recovery
- Keep every receipt. A clean sales history supports licence compliance and bank loan applications
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a dealer licence to sell my own gold?
No. A PML holder can sell the gold they produce through mineral markets and buying centres without a separate dealer licence. A broker or dealer licence is needed to buy gold from others and trade it.
Can I export gold myself?
Not on a PML alone. Export requires a dealer licence, an export permit, assay and origin documents, tax and royalty receipts, and evidence of compliance with the 20 percent domestic set-aside.
Why is the price at the market lower than the world price?
The Mining Commission's indicative price accounts for royalty and fees, and the final price depends on the measured purity of your gold. The world spot price converted to shillings is a useful reference, not the price a seller receives.
Is selling to informal buyers really a problem?
Yes. It is illegal, the gold can be confiscated, and it leaves no sales record for licence compliance or loan applications. Formal markets also give a transparent price and receipts.