Women Artisanal Miners Pioneer Safer Gold Mining in Uganda’s Namayingo District
NAMAYINGO, UGANDA – In a remarkable shift from dangerous tradition to progressive practice, women artisanal miners at Buhere mine site in Namayingo District are championing a movement toward safer, responsible gold mining through cooperative models and mercury-free processing techniques. This transformation comes as the planetGOLD Uganda project intensifies engagement with mining communities to strengthen cooperatives, promote protective measures, and eliminate mercury use in gold processing.
The initiative represents a critical intervention in a region where artisanal mining has long been characterized by hazardous conditions. A 2018 survey of Namayingo’s mining sites revealed pits measuring 80-100 feet deep where miners worked without protective gear, resulting in multiple fatalities from cave-ins . The same report documented widespread mercury use despite Uganda’s commitment to the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013 .
From Peril to Promise: Women Leading Change
Women constitute up to 40-50% of Africa’s artisanal and small-scale mining workforce but face disproportionate challenges . In Namayingo, female miners like Auma Doreen have long endured health complications including severe back pain, chronic coughing from dust inhalation, and mercury exposure risks while supporting their families through mining .
“The women of Namayingo are transforming this narrative by embracing cooperative models that amplify their economic power and advocacy voice,” said a project representative from planetGOLD Uganda. These structured cooperatives enable women to pool resources, share equipment, and access financing opportunities previously beyond individual reach .
The cooperative approach is particularly significant given the historical barriers women have faced in Uganda’s mining sector, including limited access to land rights, mining licenses, and financial services without male consent .
The Cooperative Advantage: Equipment, Finance and Safety
The transition to cooperative mining models represents a fundamental shift in how women artisanal miners operate:
· Resource Sharing: Cooperatives enable access to shared equipment like stone crushers and generators, reducing individual financial burdens
· Financial Access: Formalized groups can better access credit and establish savings schemes through partnerships with financial institutions
· Safety in Numbers: Collective bargaining power allows women to advocate more effectively for protective equipment and safer working conditions
This structured approach has yielded tangible benefits. “Through proper mercury-free processing, women miners now earn more than twice what they used to with mercury,” noted a recent IMPACT report on mining in Uganda .
Making Mercury History: The Health Imperative
The campaign against mercury use represents a central pillar of the safety transformation. Mercury, a neurotoxic substance that attacks the central nervous system, has been widely used in Namayingo’s gold processing despite the health risks .
Table: Mercury Alternatives in Artisanal Gold Mining
Alternative Method How It Works Benefits Challenges
Borax Uses borax as a flux to separate gold from ore without toxic chemicals Non-toxic, environmentally safe, readily available Requires training in proper technique
Cyanidation Uses diluted cyanide solution to dissolve gold from crushed ore Higher gold recovery rates, more efficient Requires careful management and infrastructure
Direct Smelting Uses high temperatures to melt gold directly from ore Eliminates chemical use entirely, produces high-purity gold Requires specialized equipment
The transition from mercury faces practical hurdles. As one miner involved in planetGOLD Uganda noted, the mercury-free process “can produce results in as little as two to three days, rather than waiting two months,” making the argument for change “not only persuasive but urgent” .
Aligning with National Reform and Global Standards
These local efforts align with Uganda’s broader mining sector reforms, including the 2022 Mining and Minerals Act that prohibits mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining . The law represents a crucial framework for formalizing the sector and protecting miner health, though enforcement challenges persist.
The planetGOLD Uganda project that supported the Buhere mine site women is executed by IMPACT in partnership with Uganda’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development under the Department of Mines . The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provides funding, while UNEP leads the global initiative .
This multi-stakeholder approach is essential for addressing the complex challenges in artisanal mining. As the World Bank notes, “Gender-inclusive mining laws are fundamental to leveling the playing field,” yet more than two-thirds of mining codes worldwide don’t adequately support women’s access and control over resources .
The Road Ahead: Formalization and Future Generations
While significant progress has been made, challenges remain. A 2024 eviction of Namayingo miners from Mpano Village over illegal mining activity highlighted the persistent issue of informal operations without proper licenses . Mining associations have advocated for transition periods that would allow artisanal miners to “organize and register associations to continue with the activity for a period of six months, in which they should process and acquire mining licences” .
The health implications of safer mining extend beyond immediate physical safety. A 2025 Makerere University study revealed that over 50% of young women in Uganda’s mining sites suffer from sexually transmitted infections, highlighting the interconnectedness of occupational safety and broader health vulnerabilities .
The transformation underway in Namayingo represents more than just improved mining techniques—it signals a fundamental shift toward recognizing women as vital stakeholders in Uganda’s mining sector. As these women miners demonstrate, when equipped with appropriate resources, technical alternatives, and collective bargaining power, they can drive a transition toward mining practices that protect both human health and the environment while securing sustainable livelihoods for their communities.
The journey toward completely safe, formalized, and mercury-free artisanal mining in Uganda continues, but the women of Buhere mine site have lit a path forward—proving that gender inclusion and responsible practices can transform not just working conditions, but entire communities.
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