Boffa is slated to eventually produce 12 million tonnes of bauxite per year.

Tanzania is Africa's fourth-biggest gold producer after South Africa, Ghana and Mali.

Rio said regular production by RBM, which produces ilmenite ore for titanium from mineral sand deposits, will be reached in early 2020.

The new measure will not affect global mining firms operating in the country.

The joint venture will focus on prospect and exploration work for primary diamond deposits in the African country.

Heading into the new year, there are mixed views on gold’s prospects.

Africa's second-largest copper producer was missing out on revenue because only one large mine was declaring its gold output.