By AFPMore by this AuthorNAIROBI,Tanzania has slapped Acacia Mining, a subsidiary of Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold, with a fine of $2.4 million (Sh242.6 million) for environmental pollution, a regional official said Friday. Samuel Gwamaka, a regional official with Tanzania's National Environmental Management Council, said the fine was for "very serious" pollution around Acacia's North Mara mine in the north of the country. "For this reason we have imposed a heavy punishment on the company, a fine of 5.6 billion Tanzanian shillings," he told the private television station BMG TV. Also speaking to the television station, Environment Minister January Makamba said the fine must be paid within two weeks of "official notification of the decision". RICH SECTORTanzania is rich in minerals and ranks fourth among gold producers on the continent.

Source: Daily Nation May 17, 2019 16:18 UTC