Uganda is stepping up efforts to formalise small-scale mining and promote responsible exploitation of its mineral resources following the launch of the Euro Gold Small-Scale Mining Project in Yumbe District.

The project brings together Government’s push for stronger regulation with private-sector investment in one of West Nile’s gold-producing areas. Government officials say the initiative could create employment, support local communities and contribute to Uganda’s wider economic transformation.

State Minister for Mineral Development Phiona Nyamutoro said the project is consistent with the mineral development priorities under the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).

She welcomed Euro Gold’s investment in Yumbe and said the company’s licensed operations should demonstrate how mineral resources can be developed while protecting communities and maintaining compliance with Uganda’s mining laws.

Nyamutoro also encouraged the company to expand its activities over time from small-scale operations into medium- and large-scale mining.

At the same time, she stressed that expansion should not come at the expense of artisanal and small-scale miners, who remain an important part of Uganda’s mineral sector.

Euro Gold CEO Ben Feni said the company is targeting production of at least 20 kilograms of gold per week as activities at the Yumbe site grow.

Feni said the company spent more than two years conducting surveys and exploration before securing the mining ground.

The company's operations cover about 79 square kilometres across the West Nile region, with Yumbe serving as its pioneer site.

According to Feni, Euro Gold also plans to establish a processing plant at the mining site. The facility is expected to strengthen accountability and traceability by making it easier to track gold from production through processing.

The company says it intends to work with surrounding communities while maintaining safety standards for artisanal miners and complying with licensing and regulatory requirements. “We are going to build our nation,” Feni said.

He said responsible development of Uganda's mineral resources should translate into broader economic opportunities for the country and communities hosting mining activities.

The Yumbe project comes as authorities continue efforts to curb illegal mining and improve compliance in Uganda's mineral sector.

Nyamutoro said Government would continue taking action against mining operations that operate without the required licences or exceed approved levels of exploitation.

Tusigwire Julius, Head of the Mineral Police Unit, said the unit was established in 2017 to tackle illegal mining, mineral smuggling, fraud and forced labour.

He said more than 15 illegal mining sites had been closed during the year and raised concern about deaths linked to unsafe operations at illegal mining sites.

The Government has also called for greater attention to the health and safety of miners, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

The launch also highlighted the challenges faced by artisanal and small-scale miners, particularly access to insurance and healthcare.

Nyamutoro said Government was engaging the Ministry of Health over health-related concerns affecting miners and urged workers to make safety a priority.

Assimwe Kenneth, CEO of the Uganda Association of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners, welcomed the push towards formalisation and called for measures that can make mining safer and more sustainable.

He encouraged miners to use protective equipment and urged stakeholders to develop accessible insurance arrangements for small-scale miners.

Assimwe also called on communities to ensure children remain in school rather than entering mining activities.

Eng. Grace Nakku of the Office of the Commissioner, Minerals and Energy Department, similarly stressed the importance of responsible mining in attracting investment and strengthening Uganda's mineral industry.

She advised that only people aged 18 and above should access mining sites.

Government has asked Euro Gold to ensure that its investment produces tangible benefits for people living around the mining area.

Nyamutoro urged the company to employ local residents, offer internship opportunities and invest in community development through its corporate social responsibility programmes.

The Government's position is that formal and responsible mining can help transform mineral resources into jobs, investment and economic activity while reducing the risks associated with unregulated extraction.

For Euro Gold, the Yumbe project is expected to be an important step in expanding its presence in Uganda's gold industry.

The company says its focus will be on progressively developing its operations while working with local communities and supporting a more accountable mineral value chain.

With Yumbe and neighbouring areas such as Zombo known for gold deposits, the project adds momentum to efforts to develop West Nile's mineral potential under a more formal and regulated framework.

The launch therefore marks not only the start of another mining operation, but also a test of whether investment, regulation, community participation and miner safety can work together to deliver greater value from Uganda's gold resources.