A prolonged history of artisanal mining within Tembo's licence area has resulted in a large local population resident in a number of small rural agricultural and mining villages. Over the many years of mining, these communities have grown to rely on mining to provide a small amount of additional income to the individuals involved, supplementing the income accrued through subsistence agriculture. These communities lack good quality health, education and other services and facilities, and have only extremely basic infrastructure. As Tembo commences exploration, a parallel effort will be launched by the Company to positively impact these communities. This will involve personal engagement with the people and leadership to develop close relationships that will lead to a jointly identified important needs list and established priorities that will result in the development of a comprehensive program of affordable and closely managed development assistance that will have a longterm and sustainable effect. Labour requirements for the project will be drawn from these communities, providing much needed employment and income that will have a significant impact on the lives of many others in the communities. Outside expert consultants endorsed by international organisations such as the IFC will be contracted to provide the initial inputs and develop the overall detailed strategy. As this Company is becoming a member of this collection of communities, our intention is to ensure that it will always be a welcome member, and act and engage in this task in a way that is beneficial to all stakeholders, including the communities themselves, but also our shareholders, the government of Tanzania and the country at large.
