Moroto District councillors want ‘lazy investors’ mining licences cancelled
Gold mining equipment belonging to Jan Mangle (U) Ltd parked at Moroto District headquarters . PHOTO BY STEVEN ARIONG
What you need to know:
Karamoja region is rich with minerals such as gold, limestone, iron ore, green garnets and marbles among others.
Moroto
Moroto District councillors have asked the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to cancel mining licences of ‘lazy’ investors. The request was made last week during an emergency council session at the district headquarters.
The councillors said there are about 20 investors who got licences for mining in the district but have failed to carry out any mining activities and in the process blocking serious investors.
“It is very clear that investors who spend two years with a licence without starting any activities should have their licences cancelled,” Mr Michael Lomerinyang, the Tapac Sub-county councillor said.
Another councillor, Mr Iriama Kalisto said cancelling the licences of some ‘lazy’ investors in the district would create room for more serious investors.
The councillors plea was echoed by the Moroto District chairman, Mr Mark Aol Musoka who said as a district, they are tired of constantly asking for support from donors yet they have their own minerals. “These minerals can make us self-reliant if the mining process begins,” he told Sunday Monitor.
The call was made after Indian investors Jan Mangle (U) Ltd, who are planning to set up a gold mining plant and cement factory in the district failed to get a permit, even with their equipment already at the district headquarters.
Meanwhile, the commissioner in charge of issuing the mining licences, Mr John Odida promised to verify those investors who got mining licences but they have failed to start the activity. Karamoja region is rich with minerals such as gold, limestone, iron ore, green garnets and marbles among others but no mining activity has taken off.
