By Mutayoba Arbogast
At the 2026 Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, from February 9 to 12, Africa’s mining leaders gathered to discuss the continent’s surging mineral potential. Governments, investors, policymakers, and mining executives debated opportunities presented by the global demand for critical minerals and Africa’s growing role in the energy transition.
Among the many national delegations present, Tanzania arrived with a strong and diverse team led by Anthony Mavunde, the country’s Minister of Minerals. The delegation included bankers, lawyers, mining service providers, and entrepreneurs.
But it was two Tanzanian women who captured the spotlight.
By winning major continental honors, Leminatha Cornel Kabigumila and Engineer Rose Mayembe demonstrated that women are not only participating in mining—they are increasingly shaping its future.
Their recognition marked a proud moment for Tanzania and a powerful statement about the growing role of women in Africa’s extractive industries.
Kabigumila was named Woman Entrepreneur in Mining, while Mayembe secured second place in the Leading Woman in Large-Scale Mining category, placing just behind a Congolese trailblazer and ahead of a South African contender.
The awards were presented by the African Women in Mining Association, which celebrates women driving innovation, leadership, and excellence across Africa’s mining sector.
Together, the two Tanzanian professionals symbolized a breakthrough moment—cracking open what many still describe as mining’s stubborn “rock ceiling.”
Leminatha Kabigumila: From Humble Beginnings to Continental Recognition
Kabigumila is the CEO and founder of RARE Mining East Africa Limited, a growing mining company focused primarily on tin extraction.
Attending Mining Indaba for the first time, she said the award came as a complete surprise.
“I didn’t expect the award,” she said with a smile. “I came to learn and network. Then suddenly they called my name. It felt unbelievable.”
Her company operates in Kyerwa District in northwestern Tanzania, where RARE Mining East Africa Limited holds 21 active mining licenses.
Kabigumila has already earned multiple accolades at home. At Tanzania’s annual Mining Night event, she previously won Best Miner of the Year, Best Government Taxpayer in Mining, and Best Woman Miner—recognition that has positioned her among the country’s most influential emerging mining entrepreneurs.
Her journey into mining began with encouragement from Samweli Shoo, a resident mining officer in Geita, who saw potential in her early ambitions and helped guide her through the licensing process.
With determination and careful planning, she gradually built her company.
“The mining sector in Tanzania has become more open and transparent,” Kabigumila said.
Reflecting on her experience at Mining Indaba, she emphasized the importance of integrity, innovation, and compliance with government regulations.
“Always follow the legal systems and procedures,” she advised aspiring miners.
She also urged women interested in entering the sector not to be intimidated by its traditional male dominance.
“Start small. Be brave. One woman’s success can uplift an entire community.”
Her story stands as proof that perseverance and vision can transform modest beginnings into continental recognition.
Rose Mayembe: The Engineer with a Holistic Vision for Mining
If Kabigumila represents entrepreneurial success in mining, Engineer Rose Mayembe embodies technical leadership and strategic thinking.
Originally from Tabora Region, Mayembe has built an international reputation as a mining engineer and sustainability expert.
At Mining Indaba, she was named runner-up for Leading Woman in Large-Scale Mining, a recognition she dedicated to women across the sector.
“This award is not just for me,” she said. “It represents women who are proving that we belong at the decision-making table. Women are driving safer mining practices, fair competition, and opportunities for young professionals.”
Her career began more than a decade ago at the Golden Pride Mine in Nzega District, which was operated by Australia-based Resolute Mining.
As a young engineer, she faced a daunting assignment: helping lead the closure of the gold mine—a complex process involving environmental restoration, resettlement planning, and long-term community development.
The experience profoundly shaped her philosophy about mining.
“You cannot treat environmental and social responsibility as an afterthought,” she explained. “They must be built into mining projects from the very beginning.”
Today, Mayembe works as a consultant advising projects across the globe. Her expertise spans the entire mining lifecycle—from exploration and project development to operations, closure, and post-mining land use.
Her approach integrates engineering, environmental management, social impact, financial planning, and regulatory compliance.
This holistic perspective has allowed her to identify risks early and promote more sustainable mining practices.
In 2025, her work earned her the Global Advocacy Award for Clean Energy and Sustainable Mining in London.
Expanding Opportunities for Women in Mining
Tanzania’s mining sector—rich in gold, gemstones, graphite, and nickel—has expanded rapidly in recent years.
Yet gender disparities remain.
Women make up around 40 percent of artisanal and small-scale miners, but fewer than 10 percent hold senior leadership roles in the industry.
For Mayembe, the challenge is not a lack of ability.
“It’s not about skill—it’s about access,” she said.
She advocates for greater female participation in boards, policy development, and decision-making structures within the industry.
Mayembe is particularly passionate about reforming artisanal and small-scale mining, which provides livelihoods for millions across Africa but often faces serious challenges such as unsafe working conditions, mercury use, and child labor.
Her solution emphasizes formalization, financing, training, and simplified environmental regulations.
“Formalize the sector first,” she said. “Provide access to loans, safety equipment, training, and markets. At the same time, implement practical environmental monitoring that does not overwhelm small operators with bureaucracy.”
A Changing Mining Landscape in Tanzania
Under the leadership of Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania has been pushing reforms aimed at increasing transparency, boosting investment, and expanding women’s participation in mining.
The sector contributed more than 10 percent of Tanzania’s GDP in 2025, highlighting its growing importance to the national economy.
The Tanzanian delegation at Mining Indaba included financial and legal partners such as NMB Bank and Breakthrough Attorneys, both of which showcased services designed to support investors and mining entrepreneurs.
For Kabigumila and Mayembe, the event offered both recognition and an opportunity to exchange ideas with global leaders.
Their achievements also send a broader message: African women are increasingly shaping the future of the continent’s extractive industries.
As the world prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, their stories serve as powerful reminders that determination, innovation, and leadership can break even the hardest ceilings.
In the rugged terrain of mining, two Tanzanian women have shown that the future of the industry is not only rich in minerals—but also in talent.
