GSD SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH GEOZS
On the 18th June 2025, The Geological Survey Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Geological Survey of Slovenia under the support of European Union to enhance the country’s mineral exploration and development for the identified 11 mineral targets. The MOU comes with a funding worth Shs16.8 billion (€3.5 million) which comes from PanAfGeo+ and an addition from German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) with an aim of contributing to the sustainable management of geological resources of Africa and promote EU-African partnerships in geosciences and in particular raw materials. This partnership shall include: The agreement was signed at DGSM offices’ mainboard on 18th June 2025 by Eng. Irene Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), on behalf of Uganda, and Dr. Milos Bavec on behalf of Geological Survey of Slovenia ( GEoZs). This project is expected to run for a period of 5 years and the Slovenian Geological Survey (GeoZS) will take the lead in implementing the activities in the Uganda while the Geological Survey Department (GSD) will be the main beneficiary and data custodians of all collected data and processed information. Both surveys shall hold inception meetings to draw detailed implementation plans for all planned activities.
MEMD COMMENCES THE NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS’CONSULTATIONS ON DRAFTING OF EARTHSCIENCE REGISTRATION BOARD BILL
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development held its first National Consultation workshop on Earth science registration board bill from 18th to 20th March 2025 at Fairway Hotel, Kampala. One of the main objectives of government is to regulate operations in the country. Within the Mineral sector, the Mining and Minerals Act 2022 informs about the need to regulate earth scientists with an aim of upholding quality service delivery in the mining sector. A zero draft was drafted by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs with a number of clauses which empower the board members with maintenance of the register for earth scientists, issuance of practicing certificates and licenses and enforcement of discipline in the profession. This draft bill was later reviewed by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development before it was opened for public review. The Geological Survey Department spearheaded the national stakeholders’ consultation workshop held at Fairway hotel from 18th to 20th March 2025 during which a number of clauses were edited. The bill defines professions permitted to practice as earth scientists in Uganda, requirements for registration and penalties. The bill is anticipated to standardized operations in the earth science professional and eliminated quack scientists masquerading as earth scientist conning investors a lot of money. The bill also states fines and penalties for those caught practicing as earthscientists without authorization. The event was graced by the former Heads of Geological Survey and Mines Mr. Tuhumwire Joshua, Mr. Katto Edwards and Mr. Baguma Zachary who initiated the registration process earlier but was realized today. In attendance were a number stakeholders ranging from private and government organizations. And this assures GSD about inclusiveness in generating this bill. Once the edits from the consultations are incorporated, the bill shall be presented to cabinet for consideration. However the team was advised to proceed with regulations to avoid delays.
REDEVELOPMENT OF KILEMBE MINES
On the 3rd of March 2025, the Government of Uganda signed its first mineral production sharing agreement between government of Uganda and Sarrai Group Limited along with Nile Fibreboard Limited, the best bidder for redevelopment of Kilembe Mines. The agreement was signed by Hon. Can. Dr. Ruth Nankabira, Cabinet Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals) and Hon. Evelyn Anite, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Privatization and Investment) on behalf of government and Sarrai Group Limited as the investor awarded the license to redevelop the mines along with government. Hon. Can. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa anticipates that the revival of Kilembe Mines will play a pivotal production of Copper cathodes and cobalt metals which are critical mineral in the clean energy transition. She added that the revival of Kilembe will create jobs and also boost the economy by supporting local service providers. Sarrai Group Limited and Nile Fibreboard Limited emerged as the best bidders out of the 14 companies that bidded. The ministry has put in place measures to ensure the company works closely with the government to promote the country’s economy. Kilembe Mines is located in Kasese District. The mine was Uganda’s largest copper mine, with estimated deposits of copper in excess of 6.5M tonnes of ore grade 1.77% copper and 5.5M tonnes of 0.17% grade of Cobalt. On the London Metal Exchange, Copper prices are at $9613 per kg while Cobalt. In attendance were senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda National Mining Company Board and Kilembe Mines Board of Directors.
MEMD Inaugurates New Board to Lead Uganda National Mining Company (UNMC)
Today the 4th of November 2024, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) inaugurated the board for the Uganda National Mining Company. The formation of the Uganda National Mining company commenced from the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022 which decreed to have a wholly State owned Company to manage the country’s commercial holding and participating interests of the State in mineral agreements. Like any other limited mining company, the Uganda National Mining company shall freely participate in exploration and mining activities in the mineral sector, from acquiring licences, conducting mineral exploration to exploitation of mineral resources, on behalf of the government of Uganda. Additionally, UNMC shall where necessary acquire shares in any mining projects owned by any other mining companies. The event was chaired by the Minister of State for Minerals, Hon. Phiona Nyamutooro and in attendance was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development together with the Heads of Departments in the Mineral Development programme, and other MEMD staff members. Related post: Viagra Super Active: The Next Generation Solution for Erectile Dysfunction The board is chaired by James Mukasa Ssebugenyi, with James Byagaba serving as the Vice Chairperson. Other board members include Kevin Aanyu, Alaba Agnes, Francis Twinamatsiko, Maria Kiwanuka Nabasirye Kiwana, Kwatampora Alex Binego Zentaro, Wilfred Kokas Aupal, and John Fisher Kanyemibwa.
WOODCROSS RESOURCES COMPANY LAUNCHES A TIN SMELTING PLANT AT RUTI, MBARARA DISTRICT
On Friday the 12th April 2024, H.E the president of Uganda launched a Tin processing plant at Ruti, Mbarara District, Uganda. The plant is owned by Woodcross Resources, a company licensed to mine at Ruhama Mine, Ntungamo District under license number ML 1466 and is capacitated to smelt over 1000 tonnes of tin. Tin (Sn) is a chemical element of atomic number 50 and atomic weight 118.69g from carbon family, Group 14 (IVa) of the periodic table. It is a soft, silvery white metal with a bluish tinge, known to the ancients as bronze, an alloy with copper. It is obtained from a mineral called Cassiterite which contains Stanic Oxide. Tin is the 49th most abundant element in Earth’s crust, representing 2 ppm compared with 75 ppm for zinc, 50 ppm for copper, and 14 ppm for lead widely used for plating steel cans used as food containers, in metals used for bearings, and in solder. The world’s leading producer of Tin is China followed by Indonesia. In Uganda, Tin is mostly found in South Western Uganda at Kikagati, Mwirasandu and Nyamuliro. The launched tin processing plant, located at Ruti, Mbarara District, has a capacity to process over 1000 tonnes of Tin per year. With the ability to smelt Tin from within Uganda, implies that Uganda’s tin market value price would also increase. During the launch, President Museveni re-emphasized his call for value-addition to Uganda’s raw materials especially minerals so that Ugandans can find employment and also expand market for our goods and services like electricity, water and others to boost the economy. According to Woodcross Company, its choice for investing in tin follows a steady increase in the financial market Learn more: Viagra Super Active: The Next Generation Solution for Erectile Dysfunction This is another achievement for Uganda and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development whose mandate is to establish, promote the development, strategically manage and safeguard the rational and sustainable exploitation and utilization of energy and mineral resources for social and economic development of Uganda. The new tin processing plant actualises the job creation to improve livelihoods of communities around it and also generate revenues from goods and services utilised.
