How can we mine earth’s treasures without killing our planet?

The reasons for this stagnation are many, but one thing is clear: the industry’s reluctance to evolve has kept it tethered to old methods, where the focus was solely on extraction, not on the long-term health of the planet or its people.

On paper, the mining sector should be marching toward sustainability, transparency, and accountability. The European Union (EU) has laid out stringent Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, and Uganda, as a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) since 2020, has even produced three reports aligning with these principles.

Theoretically, companies should be reporting on everything—from their environmental impact to gender inclusivity, human rights records, and revenue transparency. But here is the catch: laws without teeth are just fancy guidelines.

Uganda’s legal framework has not fully absorbed these ESG standards, meaning compliance is more of a polite suggestion than a binding obligation.

If a company decides to ignore climate reporting, there is no penalty, no fine, no real consequence—except maybe a bad look on an international scale (which many companies don’t care about).

“This lack of enforcement leads to half-baked reports, tick-box exercises, and minimal actual implementation of sustainable practices,” says Siragi Magara, an EITI steering committee member in Uganda.

Right now, mining companies in Uganda can choose whether or not to report on their emissions, climate change mitigation efforts, and environmental expenditures. And guess what? Many choose not to.

Why? Because there’s no real watchdog with bite. The EITI framework is not anchored in national law, so companies that do not comply face zero repercussions.

The ghost of due diligence

A while back, Uganda had a project monitoring mining sites for compliance with standards—essentially checking whether minerals were sourced ethically, without child labour or reckless environmental destruction.

The idea was simple: If a mine was not playing by the rules, it should be reported and possibly shut down. But in reality? This kind of monitoring is now practically non-existent.

“Now mines continue to operate under questionable conditions, with violations often slipping through the cracks, thanks to the absence of a system to enforce real consequences,” Magara notes.

Uganda’s mining scene is still largely dominated by a few big players focused on limestone and pozzolanic materials for cement.

Back in the 1970s, it was all just beginning, with Kilembe Mine producing more than 217,000 tonnes of blister copper, alongside cobalt, phosphates, and limestone.

Minerals like tungsten, tin, beryl, niobium, tantalum, and gold were also being extracted, much of it still done informally today.

Fast forward to post-1986, and a global commodity boom, paired with a more investor-friendly environment, made mining the hottest ticket in Uganda.

Companies flooded in for licences, and mineral deposits were uncovered—some still in exploration, others actively mined, something that throws signals that Uganda’s mineral wealth is far from tapped, but the industry is still struggling to find solid footing.

At the heart of it all is artisanal mining (ASM), which, according to the Mining and Minerals Act of 2022, is defined as operations not exceeding 10 metres in depth, and all conducted under a licensed framework.

While small in scale, ASM is mighty in impact. By 2018, it had provided more than one million jobs and generated Shs713.5 million in national revenue from 2014 to 2021.

With more than 80 percent of Uganda’s mining workforce engaged in ASM, the sector is widespread.

Areas like Tiira, Busitema, Mawero (Busia), Sigulu Island (Namayingo), and Chepkarate (Amudat) are buzzing with activity, along with districts like Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kaboong, Mubende, and Kassanda.

ASM’s reach spans everything from underground workings to small-scale processing plants, quarrying, and alluvial mining along riverbanks.

It is the driving force behind gemstone production and accounts for more than 90 percent of Uganda’s extraction of metallic, industrial, and building minerals.

Gold mining, however, is where ASM truly shines, with the gold rush concentrated in regions like Karamoja, eastern, central,Kigezi,and Ankole areas.
But the challenges? They’re plentiful. Illegal mining driven by mercury, inefficient methods, environmental damage, health and safety risks,child labour, poor sanitation, and a lack of access to fair markets and financing.
Even the legal miners are not immune to exploitation, land disputes, and a lack of government oversight.

The missing link

So what’s the fix? “First, Uganda needs to embed ESG and EITI standards into its national laws so that violations carry legal penalties—not just bad public rhetoric. Second, monitoring needs serious reinforcement from both government and civil society. Without strict enforcement, companies will keep cutting corners, and sustainability will remain a feel-good buzzword rather than an industry reality,” Magara suggests.

Recognising the need for structure, the government’s 2018 Mining and Mineral Policy aims to formalise ASM—improving working conditions, minimising revenue loss, and incorporating ASM into national economic and development strategies.
Uganda’s mining sector has long struggled with illegal mining, smuggling, and revenue leakages.
With 80 percent of the sector controlled by small-scale miners (ASMs), there’s little visibility on where the minerals go
and who profits from them.

And that is where traceability comes in—a system that documents every hand that touches a mineral. It creates a chain of custody that holds everyone accountable and makes it harder for illegal
players to operate in the shadows.
This not only increases governmentrevenue (since fewer minerals get smuggled), but also ensures miners and local communities actually benefit from the sector.

Uganda has of recent jumped onto the regional certification mechanism—a structured way to track minerals from extraction to export, ensuring they are ethically sourced. The end goal? Access to high-value markets like the EU and the US, which have zero tolerance for minerals linked to conflict, human rights abuses, or environmental damage. If Uganda’s mineral supply chains do not meet these ethical standards, they get locked out of these markets, forcing buyers to look elsewhere.

This is not just about regulations—it is about survival in a world racing toward cleaner energy and responsible sourcing.
Big players like Mercedes-Benz are crystal clear: if your minerals don’t pass the ESG test, you are out of the game.
“Investors aren’t throwing their money into anything these days. They want clean supply chains, compliance with ESG standards, and proof that minerals aren’t fuelling destruction. Uganda’s
move to tighten traceability has already caught the attention of the EU and German governments, which are now backing Uganda’s mining sector,” says Henry Mukasa, an advisor on mineral resources governance at GIZ Uganda.

Why now? Because these legal reforms and certification steps, while seemingly small, are the keys to unlocking billions
of dollars in responsible investments. Uganda’s push for value-addition in mining is exciting, but you cannot refinewhat you cannot track.

“By cooperating with neighbours in the Great Lakes region, Uganda can create a unified front for responsible mining,
joint ventures, and regional trade deals. Traceability is not just about compliance—it is about building a competitive,
ethical mining sector that attracts global buyers and investors,” Mukasa explains.

At the moment, Uganda’s mining sector is at a crossroads: stay in the shadows and lose access to global markets, or embrace traceability and unlock massive economic potential. By enforcing
clean supply chains, curbing illegal mining, and improving oversight, Uganda is positioning itself as a serious player in
the global minerals trade—and that is a move worth billions.

Bridging the gap

Uganda’s mining sector is not short on laws. On paper, the country has regulations covering ESG concerns that could
shape a well-structured, responsible industry. The issue? Implementation.
While the EU has strict enforcement mechanisms, Uganda struggles with turning laws into action.

One of the fastest ways to close this gap, Dr Karl Westerlund, the managing director of Swedish Geological AB says, is
through responsible investment.
The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)—which governs how the EU secures key minerals for green energy—allows for strategic projects outside the EU.
That means Uganda could position itself as a strategic partner, provided it meets ESG standards.

“For investors looking to fund mining and processing projects, ESG compliance isn’t optional—it’s a core requirement.
If Uganda attracts responsible investors, it automatically ensures the companies setting up shop already know how to in-
tegrate ESG into their operations,” Dr Westerlund says.

He explains that it is not just investors who care about ESG—buyers of mineral concentrates do too.
In high-stakes supply chains, where access to conflict-free, ethically sourced minerals is paramount, buyers are sometimes willing to help mining companies meet ESG standards themselves.
In essence, ESG is no longer just a compliance checkbox—it is a business advantage. Companies that prioritise ESG attract better investors, better buyers, and long-term profitability.

“If Uganda leverages strategic projects, attracts responsible investors, and partners with ESG-conscious buyers, it can
close the implementation gap and establish itself as a serious player in global mineral supply chains,” Dr Westerlund notes.

Carbon-neutral mining

Uganda stands at a critical juncture in the global shift toward clean energy and sustainable mining.

Unlike other mining jurisdictions scrambling to decarbonise, Uganda already has a built-in advantage—a nearly fully renewable power grid, with 85 percent hydropower and five percent solar, the Energy ministry official documentation shows.

This makes Uganda one of the few places in the world where mining operations can go carbon-neutral from the outset,
rather than relying on expensive carbon offsets.Yet,despite this massive head start, the country has yet to fully capitalise on its position.

“With the right strategic planning, investment, and partnerships, Uganda can position itself as a global leader in green mining, attracting responsible investors and setting a new standard for sustainable extraction,” says Nabil Alam, the
country manager of Blencowe Resources, a UK-based firm undertaking the Orom-Cross graphite project in northern Uganda.
Alam says one of the biggest obstacles to decarbonising mining operations worldwide is energy-sourcing.

“Many mining giants—whether in Canada, Australia, or China—are still reliant on coal, diesel, and other fossil fuels to power their operations. In contrast, Uganda’s mining sector is already
plugged into a predominantly green energy grid, giving it a huge advantage in the race toward net-zero mining,” he notes.

And since Uganda already has a surplus of renewable power, mining operations can transition entirely to electric systems
in at least three ways.
One is through electrified mining fleets– replacing traditional diesel-powered mining vehicles with electric trucks and loaders.

The second is renewable-powered processing plants – ensuring smelting and refining operations run purely on hydropower rather than fossil fuels.
And thirdly is the end-to-end electrification of supply chains – extending electric transportation beyond the mine itself to include EV trucks for mineral exports.

A mining company like Blencowe Resources has already begun exploring electrification at its sites, but a fully electric supply chain requires broader collaboration. Logistics companies, transport providers, and government agencies
all have a role to play in ensuring an EV transport corridor from Uganda to the coast becomes a reality.

The EV transport corridor

But exporting minerals to international markets requires significant transport logistics.
Currently, this is done with diesel-powered trucks, which contribute heavily to emissions.
“By working with logistics companies, EV truck suppliers, and industry partners, Uganda can create a carbon-neutral transport network,” Alam says, noting that there are several key factors to make this feasible.

“These are: Surplus green power-charging infrastructure for electric trucks can be powered entirely by Uganda’s renewable grid, tripartite partnerships, transport companies, mining
firms, and EV truck manufacturers canshare the investment burden for electrification and regulatory support, government incentives (such as tax breaks or subsidies) could accelerate fleet electrification across the country,” he suggests.

This is not just about reducing emissions—it is about economic positioning.

In Europe, new battery regulations require traceability and carbon footprint transparency, which basically means any company exporting minerals with a clean, green supply chain will have a
competitive edge in global markets.

While reducing emissions is crucial, mining operations can go a step further—actively removing carbon from the atmosphere. This can be done through carbon sequestration, where mine tailings and specific rock formations are used to trap CO₂.
Certain types of ultramafic rocks (rich in minerals like olivine) naturally absorb CO₂ from the air,turning it into stable carbonate minerals.

This process is permanent, unlike forestry-based carbon capture, where trees eventually decay and release carbon back into the atmosphere.
Mining waste (tailings) can be repurposed for carbon sequestration, specific rock formations can be targeted to trap
CO₂ and carbon credits can be generated from these sequestration efforts.

This is a game-changer because many companies currently pay for carbon off-sets (such as tree planting) to balance their emissions. However, mineral-based sequestration is more effective and more valuable in the carbon credit market because it is permanent.

Biofuels in mining

Beyond electrification, another promising path to carbon reduction is bioethanol.

Uganda has an abundance of sugarcane, which produces ethanol as a by-product. Currently, much of this ethanol is used for alcohol production, but with minor regulatory adjustments, it
could be converted into biofuel for mining operations.
How? Bioethanol can replace diesel in mining vehicles and generators and here, it would provide an immediate way for
existing mines to lower emissions and the sugar industry could benefits by gaining a new revenue stream.
The challenge here is not technical but regulatory. If Uganda’s government works with bioethanol producers and mining firms, they could fast-track approvals for biofuel use in industrial applications.

Localising the supply chain

One of the biggest hidden carbon costs in mining comes from the supply chain.
Take steel,for example.Most mining operations default to importing steel from China because it is cheaper. However,
Uganda has its own steel industry, which, if decarbonised, could provide locally produced, low-carbon steel for mine construction and equipment.

A localised supply chain brings multiple benefits. It reduces emissions from long-distance transportation of materials, strengthens domestic industries (steel, logistics, manufacturing) and presents opportunities to create a “closed-
loop” carbon-neutral mining ecosystem.

Imagine a scenario where iron ore from Ugandan mines is used in local steel production, steel is manufactured using green energy and biofuels and that steel is then used to build mining equipment and infrastructure.
This kind of integrated, circular economy would make Uganda a leader in sustainable industrialisation—a model that few other countries can match.

The key challenge? Implementation. Alam says it will take strategic partnerships, regulatory support, and investment to bring these ideas to life. But if Uganda seizes this moment, it won’t just be a mining hub—it could be the world’s first truly sustainable mining ecosystem, setting a new benchmark for responsible resource extraction.

Dr Westerlund also agrees to this, explaining that addition in mining isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it is about 
greasing it so it spins faster and cheaper.
And how do you do that? By cutting intermediate costs, particularly energy costs.
Translation? Cheap, abundant, and green energy equals higher margins, more competitive products,and a rush of global interest.

TRACEABILITY AND SCIENCE

Everyone agrees that traceability is the key to ensuring responsible mining. But before we talk about the destination, we need to address the starting point—and that is science.

For traceability to work, we need a robust database of mineral fingerprints.
But here is the problem: mineral fingerprinting is not straightforward.
Unlike a human fingerprint, which is unique and unchanging, minerals are far more complex.
There are geological variations – A single ore deposit can have multiple mineral generations, meaning its composition changes over time.
There are also chemical substitutions – Elements swap places, making it harder to create a consistent fingerprint.

And there is the issue of analytical complexity – identifying these requires years of research and high-precision lab work.
So before we talk about tracing minerals back to their source, Thomas Aigldperger, an associate professor at Lulea University of Technology in Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, says we first need to build a strong mineral fingerprint database—and
that takes serious time, funding, and research infrastructure.

“Take, for example, a research project by some company in the region 15 years ago (led by PGR) spent years building a geoforensic tool to track the origin of its minerals. This wasn’t a quick process—it required detailed geochemical analysis, rigorous methodology, and long-term data collection,”
Aigldperger elaborates.

The point? Without a solid scientific foundation, traceability is just an idea. 
“To make it a reality, countries like Uganda need to invest in mineral characterisation research, build analytical infrastructure, and establish standardised fingerprinting methods,” he says.

The idea is that – it is great to talk about responsible sourcing, supply chain transparency, and traceability standards, but if the scientific groundwork is not there, the whole system is flawed from the start.
Because without the right databases,analytical tools,and expertise, traceability risks becoming a well-intentioned policy with no solid backbone, Aigldperger says.

VALUE-ADDITION

So, Uganda is sitting on a goldmine (literally and figuratively), and the global thirst for Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) is Uganda’s moment to shine. But before we start dreaming
of billion-dollar refineries and futuristic mineral hubs, there are some key moves to make.

Everyone is chanting value-addition, but does every mineral need it? More importantly, can Uganda compete globally in refining each one? Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have a lock on copper and cobalt because they dominate supply.
Henry Mukasa, an advisor on mineral resources governance at GIZ Uganda, reasons that Uganda needs to find its own champion commodity, its unique selling point. Otherwise, it is just another player in a crowded field.
Yes, Uganda has a legal framework for mining, but does it actively encourage strategic value-addition or just block
raw exports with restrictions?

Export bans are a double-edged sword—they may attract some investment in local processing, but they also risk driving away foreign players who want flexibility.

And let us not forget: The world moves fast. What is a critical mineral today might be obsolete tomorrow. If Uganda does not strike while the iron is hot, those minerals might just stay in the ground—forever.

“Most of Uganda’s mining sector is dominated by Artisanal and Small scale Miners (ASMs), and they don’t exactly have a pipeline to venture capital. Training and equipping them isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. If miners don’t have access to financing, how do they scale up? Without modern equipment and expertise, value-addition is just a buzzword,” Mukasa says.

He adds that mining is not just about digging stuff up; it is about innovating.
“Uganda needs serious investment in research to optimise extraction, refining, and sustainability. If you can mine
smarter and process better, you don’t just add value—you set the standard,” Mukasa says.

The bottom line? Uganda cannot just follow the hype. To make real gains in value-addition, it needs a clear strategy, the right legal and financial tools, and a laser focus on what truly makes it competitive.

Uganda’s mining sector has hidden opportunities just waiting to be remined—literally. Take Kilembe, for instance. Sweden’s ITIG Copper Mine runs profitably on a 0.2 percent ore grade, yet Uganda’s Kilembe tailings the so-called “waste”—probably have
a higher copper concentration than Sweden’s top-performing mine. If that’s not an opportunity, what is? Dr Karl Westerlund, the managing director of Swedish Geological AB, explains that mining waste is misunderstood wealth.

“Uganda could analyse Kilembe’s tailings for copper and rare earth elements, use modern extraction techniques to recover valuable metals and turn an environmental liability into an
economic asset. It should have been done already—but it’s never too late to start,” he advises.