MINSTRY OF ENERGY HALTS ILLEGAL GOLD MINING ACTIVITY IN YUMBE

Ms. Agnes Alaba the commissioner mining in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (2nd Left) checks on the license granted for the Chinese Company as other officials look on. PHOTO BY ROBERT ELEMA

BY ROBERT ELEMA

YUMBE

The officials from ministry of energy and mineral development have ordered for the immediate halting of the illegal gold mining activity operated by a Chinese company (Likuang) in Odravu West Sub county, Yumbe district.

The directive was issued when the team of officials from the ministry visited the gold mining site in the area with the aim of undertaking the monitoring of their licenses the ministry had granted on Tuesday.

According to the local residents, this gold mining site was started by artisanal miners (local people) and so far, two artisanal miners (refugees) died due to a soil collapse before the Chinese Company took over the site a month ago.

Ms. Agnes Alaba, the commissioner for mining in the ministry of energy and mineral development said, the Chinese Company is doing something contrary to what the ministry had granted in the operation license.

She said, the company was given an exploration license which was mainly research license and is to conduct further research so, if it’s confirmed that there is a significant quantity of specific quality of that mineral in that area, then the person or the company can apply for mining license. ‘’Exploration license can’t give you the right to undertake mining to intentionally win some minerals but you can only do that under a mining license. The operation which is taking place here is not within the license which we have given, the license was for exploration but what is taking place is mining,’’ she said.

‘’Secondly, there is a lot of degradation of the environment, the water path has been interfered with and we need to find out the chemicals used to process the minerals because the chemical is going into the water and this same water is drunk by people and animals which is risky to their lives. This operation can’t be allowed to continue and all the machines should be switched off,’’ Ms Alaba directed.

Mr. Geoffrey Driwale the LC 3 chairperson of Odravu West Sub County said, they haven’t been informed about the mining in this area. “We tried to come on ground to find out more about this activity but because of the nature of the people here, communication has been a problem as the Chinese working at the site can’t speak English so, all along we have been fidgeting around to get exactly what has been taking place but we couldn’t get any update,’’ he said. He said, for them they knew it was an illegal activity and that was why they raised the red flag so that the authorities would intervene in the matter.

Mr. Gabriel Data the Assistant Commissioner Geology, in the ministry of energy and mineral development observed that, safety issues have been a problem in the mining site because anyone can fall and drown in water and the workers are not availed with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs). ‘’I don’t feel safe here in this mining site because the safety issues are not handled properly and these are issues we should look at besides the illegality. We have the flora and the Fauna in this area that we have lost because of this mining,’’ he said.

A worker leaves the mininig site after the commissioner ordered for the immediate halting
of the mining activities at the site on Tuesday. PHOTO BY ROBERT ELEMA

Destructions caused

Ms Raima Bako, a resident of the area said, a lot of destruction has been done to the crops in this mining activity. "The excavators have destroyed my cassava in a garden of about two quarters including bananas and yams. These crops destroyed are valued at about Shs 600,000 but the request we put before the company for compensation hasn’t been honored,’’ she said.

Similarly, another resident of the area, Ms Naima Ayiru said, they are at high risk because their home is located about 100metres from the mining site. ‘’Our home was flooded with water that flows from the mining site and this water creates breeding places for mosquitoes which cause malaria for us. We drink water from this source because the clean source of water is about 6kms away from home so, if the mining company uses some chemicals in this activity, then our lives are in danger,’’ she said.

Mr. John Bosco Tumwesigye the Yumbe Resident District Commissioner (RDC) said, Uganda has mineral deposits and these natural resources are for the people. “There is a need to register all the artisanal miners and small-scale miners in the district and this exercise will help weed out illegal activities in the mining sector and it will help regulate and ensure that the miners restore the degraded areas,’’ he said.

He said such investments are needed in the district and that if they are managed well, it will create jobs, increase tax revenues, support infrastructure, security and social services.

The Likuang company official only Identified as Mr. Lee through his translator said, he can’t defy the directive of the officials of halting the activity. “I can’t say much about this decision but I am making efforts to communicate to the relevant authorities to address the matter and I know things will be fine. My coming here was not illegal, I first talked to the people of the area and I was allowed in the area by the elders including the signing of an agreement for the land they paid for,’’ he said.

It was not clear how much the company has paid to the landlords for the land but unconfirmed reports Radio Pacis obtained from the local community indicates that about Shs 30 million was paid for the land.

On the issue of compensation of the residents whose crops were destroyed, the company had planned to pay the affected persons on August, 10, 2024
 
Mining law
Section 252 on the offences relating to mineral rights, licenses and permits says; Any person who conducts prospecting mining or exploration operation without a valid mineral right, licenses or permits commits an offence and is liable to conviction to a fine not exceeding 50,000 currency points or imprisonment not exceeding 7years or both.
 
 
 
 

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