Tanzanian president fires mining minister and chief of state-run agency

Tanzania's President-elect John Magufuli is escorted at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, November 5, 2015. REUTERS/Emmanuel Herman

DAR ES SALAAM – Tanzania’s president fired the mining minister and the chief of the state-run mineral audit agency on Wednesday, after receiving a report into whether mining companies were under-declaring the value of their exports.

President John Magufuli’s decision, announced in a speech, signals an escalation of tensions between the government and the industry, which has denied engaging in tax evasion. Mining accounts for about 4 percent of Tanzania’s gross domestic product.

 

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