Empowering women in artisanal gold mining: The story of Buhere Mine Site in Uganda

Located in Namayingo District, eastern Uganda, Buhere Mine Site is a testament to both the challenges and opportunities that are characteristic with artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities. What makes this mine site unique is its proximity to Lake Victoria, amplifying the urgent need for the community to take up responsible mining practices, especially regarding mercury use. 

Buhere hosts approximately 145 miners actively engaged in ASGM activities. Among them, the Buhere Kyoyimamuto Artisanal Miners Women Group that has been run by women miners as a means of pushing forward community-driven change. Originally comprised of 34 members, these women united under a common goal: formalising their mining operations to advocate for responsible practices and secure a mining license. 

Afua, the chairperson of the group, reflected on their journey, highlighting challenges and aspirations alike. "We are determined to not only revive our mining group but also elevate it to cooperative status," she shares. This transformation is crucial not only for their growth but also to enhance their voice in advocating for responsible mining practices. 

After a training session provided by planetGOLD, with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, the group reached a new milestone. Afua shared that soon after the training the group was officially registered and recognized as a cooperative society. Today, officially called the Kyoyimamuto Namayingo Gold Miners Cooperative Society Limited, the cooperative boasts 68 members, both men and women. Afua is proud to serve as the chairperson, with a male counterpart serving as her deputy.  

From mercury to borax - the hurdles 

Women miners indicated, the journey towards responsible mining hasn’t been without obstacles. Buhere historically relies on mercury for gold extraction due to its efficiency in gathering gold particles from the ore, although the miners have explored alternatives like borax. Despite seeing that borax can give a cleaner gold nugget, using the chemical presents its own set of challenges; among them, the need for a lot of water and the time-intensive nature of the process. With time, the women say, it became difficult to use, and miners complained that not all the gold was being captured.  

Esther, a miner, shed light on their operational realities: "We purchase ore, crush it ourselves, and incur additional costs for processing.” A basin of ore is crushed at Shs4,000 (about $1). Esther adds, “Usually, we buy two basins of ore which we carry in sacks from the pit to the processing area, a very tedious activity.” This hands-on approach underscores the women miners’ commitment to responsible practices despite the logistical hurdles.  

Once extracted, a point of gold is sold between Shs12,000 (about $3) and Shs13,000 (about $3.5) and this is also determined by the dollar rate of the day. 

From Pitfalls to Progress 

But the women miners learned valuable lessons from past setbacks. Previous attempts at cooperative ownership faced operational challenges, including theft of their savings and being cheated when dependent on external labor to operate equipment. Before, every member used to save Shs2,000 (less than a US dollar) weekly and buy shares at Shs20,000 (about $5) each. Today, motivated by their previous experiences, the women of Buhere are determined to build a cooperative that empowers them economically and operationally.  

As they look to the future, they are resolute in making their cooperative successful. Buhere Mine Site is a reminder that responsible mining practices in ASGM hinges on community empowerment, gender equity, and environmental stewardship efforts planetGOLD continues to support in all ASGM communities. 

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.