Government Moves to Formalize Mining in Kayungwe, Kanungu District
Fact-finding visit addresses illegal mining allegations and outlines roadmap for responsible, sustainable operations
Kayungwe Subcounty, Kanungu District — A government fact-finding team has concluded a comprehensive visit to Kayungwe Subcounty in Kanungu District to address allegations of continued illegal mining and chart a path toward formalized, responsible mining in the area.
The visit began with a meeting with the entire district leadership and council, where the team sensitized leaders on existing mining laws and offered guidance on compliance. Officials briefed the leadership on progressive meetings held at the Ministry with various associations and the license holder, as well as steps taken toward formalizing mining in the area.
The team also clarified the misleading actions of a previously guided and formed cooperative that prompted the Ministry to halt its use and revert to working with the associations.
Concerns Raised by District Leadership
District leaders raised a range of concerns, including illegal mining allegedly fostered by mineral police, licensing issues, torture and manhandling of locals attempting to invade the mine, environmental protection, the use of mercury, sanitation, registration of miners, proposed district ordinances, and a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the district and the license holder.
Government Guidance
In response, the government team provided the following guidance:
- Officials elaborated on the existing Exploration License EL00315 covering 236 sq km, a Small Scale License application of 1 sq km (TN/SML/06295) under Shiye Mining Company, and the Artisanal area GP00033 of 6.3 sq km, which has been gazetted on the cadastre to be licensed to four associations: Greater Rwegyeyo Artisanal Association, Kanungu Artisanal Association, Dondoma Association, and Kayungwe Artisanal Association.
- Proposed district ordinances must not contradict the existing Mining and Minerals Act 2022. The Ministry has already responded to the proposals in writing with specific stipulations of the relevant legal provisions.
- The district may only sign a community development agreement with the license holder at the mining stage to cater for social corporate responsibility, as provided for by law and monitored by the Ministry.
- Leaders were warned to refrain from fronting personal interests in the mines, contrary to the law.
- Registration of miners is conducted by the Ministry under the Biometric Registration System, carried out routinely by inspectors for easy tracking. Information can be shared with the district.
- The Ministry committed to continuously support and guide the district and local associations throughout the necessary processes prerequisite to the official opening of the mine.
Field Visit Directives
From the field visit to the mine, the following guidance was provided:
- The small-scale application has submitted all necessary documents required for licensing, including an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate issued by NEMA.
- The different associations should be supported to complete submission of the requirements for licensing.
- All ore attracting people to the mine should be removed.
- Residents should be allowed access to their gardens.
- All markets and lodging structures within the mining area should be demolished.
- All pits, especially those whose proximity does not meet the legal threshold of at least 100 meters apart, should be closed and backfilled.
- All processing centers around and within the mining area should be closed with immediate effect. Only two mercury-free processing areas — one operated by the license holder and Pearl Refineries, currently in the pipeline — shall be licensed for processing upon resumption of mining.
- The license holder is to construct 20 latrines, as appropriately recommended to be adequate for the small-scale area.
- Mineral police officers on site are to be altered immediately, and the license holder is to bolster the newly deployed mineral police with a private security arrangement.
21-Day Implementation Deadline
All the above measures are to be instituted within a period of 21 days in a bid to support and promote responsible, sustainable mining upon formal re-opening of the mine.
The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that mining in Kayungwe is conducted in accordance with the law, with due regard for environmental protection, community welfare, and the orderly development of the mineral sector.
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