From Resource Blessing to Ecological Burden: Mining and Environmental Costs in Northern Tanzania

The mineral sector in Africa and in the world at large plays a central role in the global green transition. This is achieved through providing basic raw materials for both industrial and economic development. Since time immemorial, minerals have been considered a blessing wherever they are. However, the extraction of this valuable resource creates ecological burdens to the environment. This review paper examines the ecological burdens created by mineral extraction in Northern Tanzania, where the promise of economic advancement is undermined by deforestation, water contamination, biodiversity loss, and community displacement. A systematic review of peer-reviewed academic literature guided by PRISMA protocols was applied. The paper assesses how weak governance, limited regulatory enforcement, and technological intensification trigger environmental degradation. The findings reveal severe ecological impacts, including mercury and heavy-metal contamination, landscape transformation, and declining ecosystem health. By unpacking the tensions between global sustainability narratives and local realities, the study argues for inclusive governance, stronger environmental safeguards, and policy innovations that align mineral wealth with sustainable development goals. Addressing these contradictions is essential to prevent Tanzania’s mineral abundance from becoming an enduring ecological burden .