All Tanzanian companies (not just mining companies) are entitled to a refund on their input VAT. Thus, the recent announcement that AngloGold Ashanti and African Barrick are among those seeking a refund of more than US$270 million of this tax isn’t an anomaly as such.
However, given the profits these companies make, and Tanzania’s precarious financial situation, it is highly questionable whether the government should be offering any tax concessions at all.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=10878.