Tanzania’s president fired the mining minister and the chief of the State-run mineral audit agency on Wednesday, after receiving a report into whether mining companies were under-declaring the value of their exports.

President John Magufuli’s decision, announced in a speech, signals an escalation of tensions between the government and the industry, which has denied engaging in tax evasion.

Mining accounts for about 4% of Tanzania’s gross domestic product.(source: Miningweekly)