Mining in Uganda offers a variety of opportunities which may include:
Precious Metals
Gold, silver, platinum occur in all regions of Uganda. 8 million ounces of gold have been proven; further exploration will discover more potential areas for precious metals
Iron ore
- The new airborne data led to discovery of over 160 million tonnes reserves of iron ore (haematite) in SW of Uganda.
- Over 100 million tonnes of iron ore (magnetite) have been explored in SE Uganda.
Feasibility studies to process Ugandan’s iron ore using methane gas (from oil fields) and imported coal to final products are underway
Rare Earth Elements (REE); potential exist in:
- Isolated pegmatites in SW Uganda, Carbonatite centres in Eastern Uganda (Sukulu, Butiriku, Bukusu, Napak).
- Aluminous clays enriched in Scandium, Gallium, Yttrium and REE in Makuutu area (SE Uganda) is estimated at 3 billion tonnes with grades of 23% REE and 27% Alumina.
Other commodities include:
- Base metals: Copper, cobalt, Lead, Zinc, PGMs
- 3 Ts: Tin, Tantalite (coltan) & Tungsten.
- Industrial Minerals: Dimension stones (from Marble and Granite) and Glass sand
Geothermal energy
Main areas under exploration are: Buranga, Katwe, Kibiro, Panymur. All in Western Rift Valley.
Other minerals whose potential has not been established include the following among others;
- Limestone
- Phosphates
- Nickel iron
- Ore gold
- Vermiculite
- Salts
- Beryllium
- chronite