Tanzanian President Fires Mines Minister After Minerals Audit
- Mineral-sand container audit shows exports were understated
- Exports ban remains; minerals audit agency head fired
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Tanzanian President John Magufuli fired Mines Minister Sospeter Muhongo after an audit of containers of mineral sands showed exports had been understated.
An investigation initiated by Magufuli in March found that 277 containers held as much as 15.5 metric tons of gold, instead of the 1.1 tons that had been declared, the president said Wednesday in a speech broadcast live on state television. Magufuli also disbanded the Tanzania Minerals Audit Agency’s board, dismissed its chief executive officer and asked the authorities to investigate those responsible.