The Gold Within: How FADev Brought Responsible Mining to the Heart of GeitaTHE GOLD WITHIN
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Introduction
In September 2025, the Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan Grounds in Geita opened its gates to thousands of visitors attending the 8th Geita Mining Technology Exhibition. Miners, investors, students, entrepreneurs, media professionals, and families streamed into the venue in search of tools, opportunities, and innovations shaping Tanzania’s mining future.
Amid the heavy machinery, corporate displays, and industrial demonstrations, one booth stood apart—not for its size or technology, but for its message. The Foundation for ASM Development (FADev) arrived not to sell equipment, but to share knowledge that could save lives, protect communities, and transform artisanal and small‑scale gold mining (ASGM) from within.
A Different Kind of Exhibit
FADev’s booth was intentionally simple. Instead of glossy banners or large machines, the table displayed:
- Plain-language brochures explaining the dangers of mercury
- A policy paper written in terms miners could understand
- A small but powerful device: the mercury retort
The retort became the centerpiece of the exhibition. When FADev staff ignited it, visitors watched in awe as mercury vapour—normally released into homes, kitchens, and lungs—was safely trapped, condensed, and reclaimed. What seemed like a modest tool quickly became the most talked‑about demonstration in the booth.
FADev had come to Geita with knowledge. And knowledge proved to be its most valuable commodity.
The Power of Peer Wisdom
FADev’s approach extended beyond technical demonstrations. The organisation brought a ten‑member delegation of its Training of Trainers (ToT) team—miners from Mgusu and Nyarugusu who understand the realities of ASGM firsthand.
These ToTs stood shoulder to shoulder with visitors, explaining:
- How mercury fumes enter the lungs
- How neurological damage accumulates silently over years
- How simple tools like retorts can prevent lifelong illness
They didn’t lecture. They related.
One young visitor asked whether toxins remain in the air after burning amalgam. A ToT member replied:
“Smoke doesn’t disappear. You just stop seeing it.”
The booth fell silent. Understanding had landed.
Key Statistics from the Exhibition
| Key Stats | # |
|---|---|
| Policy papers shared | 117 |
| FADev ToTs | 7F & 3M |
| Participants reached | ~900 |
A Lesson in Law: Making Policy Understandable
Many miners arrived at the exhibition feeling alienated by complex mining and environmental regulations. FADev addressed this gap by distributing 117 policy papers that simplified the legal landscape.
For many visitors, this was the first time they encountered policy explained without legal jargon. The paper did not simply instruct miners to obey the law—it showed them how to comply, mapping a clear path from confusion to action.
One miner expressed relief:
“If the law is this clear, why didn’t anyone explain it to us like this before?”
A Sector in Transition
The exhibition drew more than 900 participants and was framed by national leadership. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa opened the event, emphasizing growth and resilience in the mining sector. Days later, Deputy Prime Minister Doto Biteko closed the exhibition, highlighting the expansion of Tanzania’s mineral markets—43 mineral markets and 109 buying centers nationwide.
This context underscored the importance of FADev’s work. As the sector grows, so does the need for safer, more sustainable practices.
Why This Matters
Mining communities remember those who speak their language. FADev’s booth became a hub of meaningful conversations:
- Parents asked about mercury exposure in homes
- Older miners asked about cost savings
- Youth asked about safer alternatives like borax and controlled cyanidation
FADev did not bring miracle technologies. It brought small, repeatable choices—simple enough for individual miners, scalable enough for entire communities.
The organisation’s work is rooted in Geita and Shinyanga because miners are not “beneficiaries.” They are:
- Instructors
- Pioneers
- Survivors
- Parents
They hold knowledge that institutions often overlook. FADev understands that sustainable change is not delivered to communities—it is built with them.
Conclusion
The 8th Geita Mining Technology Exhibition demonstrated that even in a space dominated by machinery, investors, and corporate power, a modest table with ten trainers and a retort can become the beating heart of responsible mining.
FADev’s presence reaffirmed a simple truth:
The gold within Tanzania’s mining communities is not only in the ground—it is in the people.
