{"id":746,"date":"2014-01-08T08:22:38","date_gmt":"2014-01-08T08:22:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fortuneofafrica.com\/ss\/?page_id=746"},"modified":"2026-09-14T13:58:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T13:58:35","slug":"mining","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/afrifacto.com\/southsudan\/mining\/","title":{"rendered":"Mining Sector of South Sudan"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Mining Sector has the potential to become an engine for economic as it has plenty of mineral deposits including gold, copper, iron, manganese, uranium, zinc, marble\/dolomite and gemstones among others.<\/p>\n

Gold<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gold occurs in several areas including at Kawokono in Kapoeta district. Other potential areas are Morukanboloing , Nyangea, Anakanak, Karomi ,Lopua, Nazarich, Lauro; Nathalani; Buno, Naputo and Luri.<\/p>\n

Copper<\/strong><\/p>\n

The only known copper ore occurrence is at Hofrat en Nahas near the border with S. Darfur. Four cooper occurrences have been reported in different locations in the Kapoeta district<\/p>\n

Zinc and lead<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zinc and lead usually occur together in massive sulphide deposits, which have been identified in the Juba-Yei-Tori zone, with the highest zinc concentration detected around Juba, while lead concentrations are spread further south and also between Torit and Wau<\/p>\n

Aluminium<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Sudan has three areas of anomalous aluminium values of above 4.5% around Juba (coinciding with areas of nepheline syenite); Raga-Wau-Rumbek zone and west of Yambio up to the border with DRC. In the latter two areas, the anomalies coincide with thick lateritic cover. In the Luri basin SW of Juba, aluminium values average 3.5% in the stream sediments and 5.5% in soil samples. Given the large area of anomaly, the deposits of aluminium are potentially Huge<\/p>\n

Manganese<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are 2 distinct manganese anomalies: the major one is at the Juba Nimule-Yei-Amadi area at concentrations of over 35,000 ppm; the smaller one is around Wau (1,500-3,500 ppm)<\/p>\n

Iron<\/strong><\/p>\n

A large area stretching from Yambio all the way to the border with South Darfur is anomalous in iron. The highest concentrations so far detected have been around Wau at over 18%. According to another study (1961), the Wau-Raga area contains deep deposits covering an area of about 80,000 km2, with Fe2O3 concentrations ranging from 22 to 90%. This deposit merits serious investigation. Its proximity to the Wau terminal is also highly advantageous<\/p>\n

Marble\/Dolomite<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Kapoeta area there are several occurrences. The largest is about 4 km NE of Kapoeta town.<\/p>\n

In 1978, a German cement manufacturing company identified 8 million tons of marble consisting 52.6% CaO and 0.8% MgO with insignificant Na2O and K2O contents \u2013 making the deposits highly suited to good quality cement production (exceeding that of Atbara cement). Nearby clay deposits are also necessary as cement ingredients. Two million tons of suitable clay with high iron and aluminium contents were estimated in the same area. These were expected to produce 60,000 tons of cement a year for 15-25 years. This site has immense potential for accelerating and reducing the costs of South Sudan\u2019s reconstruction efforts<\/p>\n

Several dolomite occurrences have been reported in Torit district in large amounts suitable for dimension stones in construction, lime and a wide range of other industries such as fertilizers,refractory, glass, furnace flux and flux<\/p>\n

Talc<\/strong><\/p>\n

A gritty and coarse-grained form of talc is found along the Kit river area SE of Juba. Despite being of low quality, the talc is useful as a ceramic raw material; a heat resistant hardener in drill fluids used in for example petroleum drilling or road construction in hot climates. Several other talc deposits have been found to the east of Juba in Central & Eastern Equatoria. A large, white and soapy deposit of talc covering a one square kilometre area has been identified to the east of Kapoeta town<\/p>\n

Kaolin and other clays<\/strong><\/p>\n

Montmorillonitic clay i.e. heavy, dark, sticky soil is widespread in many plains and valleys of Southern Sudan. It is used locally for making mud walls with limited use in brick production in some urban areas. The brick kilns in Juba are highly productive. Brick and tile production merit greater attention across the country, including for supplying the north<\/p>\n

Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n