The Minister of State for Minerals Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, has officially launched the Euro Gold Refinery mining site in Yumbe District, marking a major step in Uganda’s drive towards responsible and sustainable mineral development.
The launch was witnessed by the Commissioner for Mines, representatives from the Bank of Uganda, district leaders and other key stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Nyamutoro said the government wants to demonstrate to communities in West Nile and across the country the benefits of responsible and sustainable mining.
“As you can see, the gold mine here is mercury-free, and they have the potential of crushing 16,000 tonnes, which would help them have quite a number of products,” she said.
The minister said the mining project is also expected to stimulate infrastructure development, improve social services and create employment opportunities for communities in the area.
Nyamutoro, however, warned mining companies and operators against employing minors, urging all stakeholders to comply with the mining laws and regulations.
“We call upon all those involved in mining to formalise and do the right thing because, at the ministerial level, we have tried to reach out a helping hand to see that the miners get all the support they can,” she said.
According to Benard Feni, the CEO of Euro Gold Refinery, the company has set a target of producing at least 20 kilogrammes of gold per week as its newly launched small-scale mining operations in Yumbe expand.
The mining project is valued at approximately $500 million.
Feni said the company spent more than two years conducting surveys and exploration in the area before securing the mining ground.
He said Euro Gold’s operations cover approximately 79 square kilometres across the West Nile region, with Yumbe serving as its pioneer site.
The company says the expansion is expected to create more employment opportunities for local communities while contributing to economic activity in the region.
Feni said Euro Gold is committed to working closely with local communities while ensuring the safety of artisanal miners and complying with all required licences and regulations.
He disclosed that the company plans to establish a processing plant at the site to strengthen accountability and traceability throughout the gold production process.
Feni said the company intends to progressively develop its operations and contribute to Uganda’s economic transformation through responsible mineral development, while creating a positive impact in the communities where it operates.
Euro Gold Refinery holds a number of mining licences in Yumbe, Abim, Busia, Kaabong, Kotido and Moroto.
Euro Gold Refinery has also entered into partnerships with local mining communities as part of its efforts to strengthen Uganda’s gold value chain.
Feni said the refinery has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with gold miners in Mubende to add value to their gold, benefiting more than 3,000 artisanal miners.
The company has also entered into a joint venture with the Kakoka artisanal miners’ cooperatives. The miners have an MOU to supply gold to Euro Gold Refinery.
Through these partnerships, the company says it is seeking to promote formalisation, improve traceability and increase the benefits of gold mining for artisanal miners and local communities.
The refinery has also created employment opportunities, with more than 70 per cent of its workforce comprising Ugandans who have been trained to meet international standards.
The company says the training and employment of Ugandans will form part of its broader contribution to the country’s mineral sector as it expands its operations.
The Yumbe project is therefore expected to contribute to job creation, local economic development and the formalisation of mining activities, while supporting Uganda’s efforts to build a more responsible and value-driven gold industry.
