Empowering artisanal miners: planetGOLD supports nationwide consultation workshops on new mining regulations 

The Uganda Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development held a nationwide series of consultation workshops focused on the proposed artisanal mining regulations and their implementation as outlined in the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022. Supported by the planetGOLD Uganda project, these workshops represented a critical step towards formalising the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, aiming to promote a more regulated and sustainable approach to mining in Uganda. The primary goal of the workshops was to consult with artisanal miners and other stakeholders while raising awareness about the new regulations.   

The first consultation workshop held at the Busia District Headquarters in eastern Uganda, was presided over by Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, the state minister for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals). The workshops marked the beginning of a series that spanned across all regions of Uganda — eastern, western, central and northern. planetGOLD works in 11 gold mining sites in three of these regions:  in the eastern region, covering Busia, Namayingo, Moroto, and Amudat districts; in the central region, in Kassanda District; and in the western/southwestern region, in Buhweju District and Kisoro District respectively. 

Insights from artisanal miners 

A significant component of the new regulations is the zoning of areas specifically designated for artisanal mining. This zoning is designed to ensure that artisanal mining activities can take place without interference from large-scale or medium-scale mining operations. The goal is to balance the needs of the mining sector with sustainable environmental practices. 

planetGOLD Uganda engaged with several artisanal and small-scale gold miners to understand their perspectives on the new regulations: 

Josephine Aguttu, an artisanal gold miner, raised concerns about absentee license holders, noting that this issue could hinder artisanal operations and called for an effective solution to address this bottleneck. 

Charles Buyinza, another artisanal gold miner, expressed support for the new regulations but emphasized the need for improved access to financing. He suggested that the government introduces specialised programmes for artisanal miners, like the support given to the agriculture sector, to facilitate better financial support and resources. 

Julius Katusiime, while supportive of forming cooperatives, recommended revisiting the regulation that restricts mining to a depth of 10 feet, suggesting that adjustments may be necessary to better accommodate the needs of miners. 

The consultations aim to not only discuss regulatory measures but also to engage directly with miners to understand their challenges and needs. To enable this, Minister Nyamutoro took time after the launch to visit artisanal miners in Tiira, Busia, to gain firsthand insights into their work. She also used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of environmental protection in mining activities. 

Looking ahead 

These consultations are a crucial part of an ongoing effort to promote responsible and sustainable mining practices in Uganda. By engaging with miners and other stakeholders, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and planetGOLD seek to strengthen the sector governance, enhance environmental and social protection, and improve the livelihoods of artisanal miners and their communities. 

This collaborative approach aims to build a mining industry that not only supports economic development but also respects environmental and social considerations. 

The planetGOLD Uganda project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). It is executed by IMPACT in partnership with Uganda’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the country’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development under the Department of Mines. The project aims to reduce the use of mercury by supporting formalization of the artisanal gold mining sector and increasing access to finance. This will lead to adoption of mercury-free technologies and allow access to more responsible and traceable gold supply chains.