Commercial Mineral Production In Busoga To Kick Off In 2024

The processing of minerals in Busoga Sub-region for commercial purposes will start in 2024 according to Rwenzori Rare Metals (RMM).

RMM is a private Ugandan company carrying out exploration work of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in eastern Uganda.

Since 2016, it has been developing the Makuutu Rare Earths Project in Makuutu Sub-county, Bugweri District. This stretches about 37kms across the districts of Bugweri, Mayuge, Bugiri and Iganga.

This Rare Earth Project in Mukuutu is among the few clay deposits containing enormous concentrations of heavy and critical metals. Such metals are necessary for strong magnets and other modern technology.

“Commercial production starts in the first quarter of 2024. We are applying for a mining license and want land access to start,” the RMM CEO, Mr Warren Tregurtha said in a Monday interview.

He further revealed that the company has invested in excess of $10m (about Shs36b) in Busoga. He further added that once production begins, the project will have the potential to attract another investment portfolio of about $100m (about Shs360b).

In 2005, a survey revealed new mineral targets in Uganda such as Makuutu uranium anomaly (Makuutu Rare Earth), Graphite (Kitgum), Nickel, Chromium, Bentonite and Uranium in various parts of the country.

Following the findings, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development granted an exploration license to Kweri Limited and Berkeley Reef Limited.

These were to undertake exploration and follow-up of the Uranium radiometric anomaly at Makuutu since 2010. They carried out more studies and confirmed the existence of REE in mineable quantities. These are in the districts of Mayuge, Bugweri, and Bugiri

The minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, said her ministry will ensure proper exploration of Ugandan minerals in a sustainable manner.

The clay-hosted geology at Makuutu is similar to major ionic adsorption clay REE projects in southern China. These are responsible for the majority of the global supply of low-cost, high-value heavy rare earth oxides.

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