Diamond mine closed over Sh375m tax arrears

Shinyanga. Tanzania Revenue Authority
(TRA) has shut down a diamond mine
belonging to El-Hillal Minerials Limited
in Kishapu District, Shinyanga Region,
for allegedly failing to pay taxes
amounting to over Sh374.9 million.

Addressing the media yesterday, the
Shinyanga regional TRA manager, Mr
Ernest Dundee, said the authority
reached the decision following the

mining company’s refusal to adhere to
directives by Suka Security Co Ltd and
Auction Mart & Court Brockers, who
were the authority’s debt collectors.
“This is not the end, but just the
beginning. TRA will shut down all
businesses of all chronic debtors,” the
regional TRA boss warned.

The mine acting manager, Mr Badul Seif,
was tightlipped on grounds that higher
authorities were supposed to comment
on the TRA move.

The acting manager also refused to sign
a letter from the debt collectors ordering
the closure of the mine’s machines for
separating diamonds and asked the
Suka Security Co Ltd and Auction Mart &
Court Brockers to seek assistance of
police officers in impounding four trucks
of the mining firm.