Controversial mining project in Tanzania’s Lake Natron halted 

By Akshita Rabdiya 

Under the blazing sun of northern Tanzania, where shimmering salt flats meet the alkaline waters of Lake Natron, thousands of Lesser Flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor), classified as Near threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, gather each year to breed. However, Lesser Flamingos do not breed every year—they often skip breeding altogether during unfavourable conditions, making Lake Natron’s successful breeding seasons even more critical. 

Designated as a Ramsar site in 2001, it is East Africa’s only regular breeding site for the species, sustaining nearly 1.5 – 2.5 million flamingos, representing 75% of the species global population. Its harsh beauty belies its fragility: one alteration in water flow, salinity and habitat could spell disaster for flamingos and more than 300 bird species, including waterbirds of global conservation importance, that depend on its wetlands and grasslands. This and other unique features of the Ramsar Site, attracts thousands of tourists, earning the government revenues, livelihood for communities and business for the private sector. 

Ecological threats 

Despite its ecological and economic importance, Lake Natron has long been threatened by degradation. This leads to biodiversity loss, unsustainable agricultural practices, deforestation in the catchment and inadequate wetland management practices, among other issues. Further, it has previously faced a serious threat from proposed soda ash mining, which first came to light in 2006, but plans were withdrawn following an international outcry and pressure led by BirdLife International and 56  other conservation organisations from across the globe.  

Most recently, in early 2025, Ngaresero Valley Company Ltd announced plans to put up a plant with the capacity to extract  1,000,000 metric tonnes – but initially producing 660,000 metric tonnes of refined soda ash – annually from the lake basin. This proposal risks draining freshwater, disturbing hydrology, polluting the lake crucial waters, destroying the nesting grounds where flamingos laboriously build their nest mounds and deny communities full access to their ancestral and grazing land. 

But this time, a different story unfolded 

Local communities up in arms 

From May to July 2025, Nature Tanzania, working closely with communities in nine villages surrounding the lake, spearheaded an unprecedented grassroots mobilisation following shocking news and request to contribute to a secretly developed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment process. The villages include Engaresero, Magadini, Gelai Lumbwa, Gelai Merugoi, Loondolwo, Pinyinyi, Wosiwosi, Ilchangit Sapukin and Alaililai. Community members, pastoralists, and elders gathered under the banner “Our Lake, Our Life” to voice their opposition. Following requests from these communities, Nature Tanzania organised 17 meetings where communities discussed the matter and agreed on resolutions. For local Maasai people, the lake is far more than a breeding ground for flamingos—it is a lifeline. More than 65,000 people depend on the lake for their livelihoods, including ecotourism and livestock keeping. As Lucas Lekide a local community member noted, “Lake Natron is our mother—if she is destroyed, we lose everything.” 

James Sapuro Lywangiri, chairman of Engaresero village, expressed surprise at the revived mining proposal, recalling that the government had previously ruled against such ventures near Lake Natron. He stressed the global importance of the site, noting that, “Over 75% of the world’s flamingos are found here, attracting tourists, researchers and students. The revenues support schools, health centres and water infrastructure for our communities.”  

Elder Daniel Lemomoi from Wosiwosi village pointed out that the investor is demanding at least 45,000 hectares for the project to install pumps, pipes and factory. “We don’t have idle land of that scale. Such a project would devastate our lives, force villagers from their homes, and rob the nation of its natural heritage” he said.  

Nature Tanzania amplified these voices with scientific data and conservation evidence, showing how mining would undermine not just flamingos but also fish species such as Oreochromis alcalicus, algae like Spirulina platensis, and countless waterbirds that depend on the lake. 

Emmanuel Mgimwa, Nature Tanzania’s Executive Director,  and the Eastern and Southern Africa coordinator for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) , noted that soda ash mining would involve pumping large amounts of lake water and diverting scarce freshwater from key rivers like the Ewaso Ng’iro – a move that would fundamentally disrupt the delicate hydrology on which flamingos and other species depend. 

“The well-being of Lake Natron is a regional and global concern. Protected under the East African Community Transboundary Ecosystem Management Act of 2010, it supports Lesser Flamingos that feed across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Like the Mara-Serengeti migration, it attracts tourists, and its destruction could threaten regional tourism and cause diplomatic disputes over shared resources”, added  Mgimwa. 

Conservation and local livelihoods must win 

After four months of advocacy, in August 2025, the Tanzanian government announced it will not allow large-scale soda ash extraction at Lake Natron. Officials reaffirmed that the lake’s Ramsar status and its role as the only significant Lesser Flamingo breeding site in East Africa make it too important to risk. Only traditional, small-scale surface collection of soda ash along the shoreline will continue.  

Responding to the controversy, Deputy Minister for Minerals, Stephen Kiruswa insisted that no licence had been—or would ever be—issued for mining inside Lake Natron. “Only traditional surface collection of naturally occurring soda ash along the lake’s edge is permitted. No large-scale extraction will be authorised,” he said. This official reassurance aligned with community concerns and reinforced the government’s position to preserve the Ramsar-protected site. 

The recent move by the government aligns with Nature Tanzania’s ongoing work: training young people as bird guides, conducting biodiversity monitoring, and promoting ecotourism as a sustainable alternative to extractive development. The story of Natron is not only about flamingos, but about resilience and rights. It is about communities protecting their heritage, safeguarding natural resources, and governments listening to science and people. It is also a reminder of the power of partnerships – researchers, NGOs, BirdLife International, Nature Tanzania, and local communities standing together. 

“We commend the government for this announcement, but more must be done to ensure soda ash proposal does not re-appear in future. Critically, Ngaresero Valley Company must withdraw its proposal and the ongoing public consultations immediately. Lake Natron is  not only valuable for Tanzania, but also a global gem that must be protected”, said Ken Mwathe, Policy, Climate and Communications Coordinator for Africa at BirdLife International. 

Looking Ahead  

Although challenges including climate change, flooding and effect of nearby industrial project remain, vigilance and long-term monitoring remain essential. 

Nature Tanzania will continue awareness campaigns at community, national, regional and international levels to keep the mining threat at bay. Further, Nature Tanzania is committed to continuing supporting sustainable, community-driven alternative livelihoods including ecotourism, and small-scale enterprises linked to conservation. Equally important will be continued capacity building initiatives including training more youth as bird and cultural guides and supporting more research activities—in partnership with universities and conservation organisations, to inform conservation efforts. 

“Nature Tanzania stands firmly with the Government of Tanzania in upholding the principles of the Ramsar Convention. We commend the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and its institutions for the commitment and ongoing efforts in the conservation and protection of wetlands, including Ramsar Sites. We also commend the commitment and efforts of the Ministry of State, Vice-President’s Office – Union and Environment in wetland conservation and management.  Lake Natron endures as a sanctuary where flamingos dance across salt flats, and where communities stand guard over a landscape that sustains both nature and people. Through collective conservation action, people and nature can thrive together”, concludes Mgimwa. 

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