International Resources Ltd.

Collage of the manager’s office (with magazine cutouts on the wall) at International Minerals Ltd., and a model wearing a dress designed by Adama Kai, a fashion designer from Sierra Leone, photographed by Katrina Manson. (Part of the series from Economica Tanzania Unlimited Ltd. (Business as Unusual))

Images: International Minerals Ltd., managers office, Arusha 2008

 

I am an enthusiastic media consumer, a world traveler, and a curious citizen, and yet I was ignorant about Africa’s economy. What do I know about African business? What does it look like? I decided to create a series of images that portray Tanzania’s economy, to learn more and add new dimensions to the popular image of Africa and African business. Tanzania’s economic development increases opportunities for its citizens. More Tanzanians are starting their own companies, and some foreign companies offer career opportunities for skilled local staff. The project also reflects on the challenge of balancing the interests of local communities with those of international companies. In a world where the condition of one country’s economy has major effects on the global economy, it’s essential that we recognize Tanzania for its economically varied profile and the modern, multicultural, thriving, and even progressive country that it is.

Source: www.imow.org

Images of project Tanzania Unlimited Ltd. (2008)

Image: Mine of the biggest tanzite exporter, Merelani Hills, Tanzania 2008

‘The discovery of Tanzanite is something of a mystery. There are numerous African stories as to how Tanzanite was discovered. The most popular story is that a Maasai warrior is reported in 1967 to have found a translucent crystal at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. He was fascinated by its blue-violet hue. The warrior shared his find with a prospector, who was searching for rubies at the time. The prospector believed he had found a vibrant sapphire, neither the prospector nor the Maasai warrior had any idea that they had stumbled upon a new gemstone. It was found that the crystal had a composition that was more complex than a sapphire and had a colour that was more intriguing, more alluring, and more exotic than any other gemstone. It was a thousand times rarer than a diamond.’
Source: squidoo.com

Image: Tanzanite 1, 2008

News on export ban of raw tanzanite to boost the local processing industry.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201006140895.html

2012: News on other natural resources found in Tanzania

While the credit crisis hits the world, Tanzania’s (business) people, investors and politicians are discussing newly discovered (exclusive) gold, uranium, gas and oil. And the way the society could benefit, so the economic growth could lead to better facilities such as modern infrastructure, better health care and education. I’m interested in the role of social media like Facebook regarding the increased social awareness and political transparency.

‘Tanzania’s president has invited investors from the United Arab Emirates to join the rush for oil and gas in the east African nation, after recent gas discoveries along its coastline, the president’s office said on Saturday. Together with oil finds in neighboring Kenya and Uganda, significant gas finds in southern Tanzania have raised the profile of the region in the global energy industry.’ Source: Al Arabiya News, 09 June 2012 – http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/06/09/219576.html

Aminex Chief Executive, Stuard Detmer, commented: ‘This independent report has identified …  a 400% increase compared to the previous report. Most of the increase comes from the Ruvuma PSA, evaluated now for the first time. The results are extremely encouraging, following on from the testing success at Ntorya announced last week. The evaluation confirms our view that the onshore Ruvuma Basin is highly prospective not only for gas but also with the possibility of finding reservoired oil… In the Nyuni Licence.. the report confirms the excellent potential of both structural and stratigraphic plays in the block.’
Aminex PLC Aminex is an oil and gas exploration, development and production company with a 19 year track-record of fulfilling projects in many areas of the world. Its shares are traded on the Full List of the London Stock Exchange. The company’s principal focus areas are the East African coastal margin of Tanzania and the US onshore Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana. Aminex has a unique acreage position in Tanzania with 4 major wells drilled including 2 discoveries. One Tanzanian gas discovery is ready to develop and there is an active ongoing exploration programme.
Aminex’s shares are traded on the Full Lists of both the London and Irish Stock Exchanges (symbol AEX). Source: http://www.aminex-plc.com/

The Citizen, 26 Jan 2012: ‘Huge gas deposits found in Tanzania’.
Link: http://thecitizen.co.tz/magazines/31-business-week/19243-huge-gas-deposits-found-in-tanzania.html
Reply on the article of Dr. Mapaba Ruzemvya 2012-02-11: ‘Tanzania’s huge gas discovery is indeed welcome news. Gas is one of the major source of energies that is cheaper and less pollutive than oil. The gas will certainly make huge contribution to the economy and is expected to positively impact on the lives of many Tanzanians. Gas for development should be the theme and every effort should be made to minimize corruption around this new hope for Tanzania to exit itself from poverty. Tanzanians know too well about corruption and how only few are likely to benefit from this new discovery. Tanzania must learn from Ghana, Norway and few other countries who use natural resources for development and as a way to change peoples’ lives. Tanzania must also know that countries like Nigeria,Sudan are living examples of how such new discovery can bleed bloodshed and bring civil wrath and wars. Tanzania must therefore make every effort to put its PEOPLE FIRTS and use wisely the revenues for the development of the whole nation.’

Images: Merelani Hills, 2008 (part of project Tanzania Unlimited Ltd.)