Government Halts Illegal Gold Mining in Kanungu Amidst Environmental and Health Concerns

Illegal gold mining activities in Kanungu district have been officially suspended by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The decision comes after reports of environmental degradation, significant public health risks, and a surge of unlicensed miners flocking to a site in Kanoni village, Kayungwe sub-county.

For the past two months, the area experienced an influx of hundreds of people drawn by rumors of gold deposits. This led to the rapid establishment of makeshift shelters and tents, creating an unsanitary camp environment with no basic facilities like toilets or waste management systems.

Local leaders had previously voiced concerns about the negative social impacts, including children dropping out of school and residents abandoning farming for mining, which threatened food security. The situation escalated as neighboring communities petitioned authorities, citing pollution of water sources due to poor waste disposal and the use of mercury by artisanal miners.

During an inspection, State Minister for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, informed the miners that the land falls under an exploration license granted to Shiye Miners Company, making their operations illegal under the Mining and Minerals Act. The minister emphasized the suspension aims to restore order and allow the government to formalize artisanal mining.

The ministry plans to guide the miners in organizing into a cooperative and obtaining the necessary licenses to operate legally within Uganda’s artisanal and small-scale mining framework. The Kanungu Resident District Commissioner has warned of strict enforcement, with arrests for trespassing or resuming illegal mining.

https://observer.ug/news/govt-suspends-gold-mining-in-kanungu