VOLUME 1 – ISSUE 1
In this issue, we examine some of the problems Artisanal and Small scale Miners (ASMs) have for long been grappling with such as the never-ending struggle to attract financing, the lack of market for their mineral commodities, and the rise of Large Scale Mining Companies acquiring mineral rights and evicting the ASMs. The issue also shows the potential of the ASM sector which if formalized and well managed can boost government revenues and entirely transform the mining sector in Uganda.
VOLUME 2 – ISSUE 1
Just as has been the case in other countries, when the forces are sent into the mines, the would-be protectors tend to turn tormentors as they too desire a portion of the mineral commodities or the miners’ hard-earned money. This issue brings you some of the allegations against Uganda’s Police Minerals Protection Unit (PMPU), the story of the Ntungamo miners risking their lives in tunnels that have claimed the lives of other miners, and the status of the controversial Mubende gold license from which ASMs are demanding just one square kilometer among other stories.
VOLUME 2 – ISSUE 2
In this issue, we assess the impact of Covid-19 on the mining sector. The gains and the losses in a sector currently under siege by people referred to as “parasites” and “mafias”. Once again, the Police Minerals Protection Unit (PMPU) is implicated in cases of torture and reported to the Professional Standards Unit. The Digest also analyses the three biggest issues holding back Uganda’s mining sector.
VOLUME 2 – ISSUE 3
In this issue, we not only bring to light the challenge of financing faced by Artisanal and Small scale Miners(ASMs) but also highlight different sources of finance set aside for ASMs by Development Partners. We also tell the journey taken by the Buhweju ASMs to acquire a license and the existing opportunities for ASMs in the Development Minerals sector.
VOLUME 3 – ISSUE 1
All eyes on Karamoja! This issues brings to light the scramble for Karamoja’s natural resource wealth. Land wrangles between mining companies and communities rage on as the influx of ASMs in Nakapiripirit causes anxiety over land. Similar to our previous issue, the women miners in Karamoja place their hopes in associations.
Away from Karamoja, the mineral export ban has sucked life out of mining communities as the Local Governments continue to feel the impact of the lost revenue caused by the ban on export of unprocessed minerals.
VOLUME 3 – ISSUE 2
In this issue, read about the Biometric Registration of ASMs (BRASM) project which was officially flagged off on December 9th – 10th during the 3rd Annual ASMQ Conference & Expo in Gulu. Government also looks to tap into the potential of Development Minerals through regulation and licensing. In Amudat, community accuses leaders of betrayal over company Mining Lease while in Gulu, an ASM association is transforming lives in the rural communities. The UNDP ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme launches the ASME Formalisation & Business Development Acceleration Strategy to formalisation of this sub-sector.
VOLUME 4 – ISSUE 1
In this digest, find out the criminal offences on mercury use as put in the new law. The miners opinions on the laws on mercury use with some saying the law was passed in haste and others worried about the lack of sustainable alternatives and the interventions by the PlanetGold project to reduce mercury use in gold mining. Also, find out from Gloria Mugambe, the EITI Head in Uganda, about EITI and what all this means for Uganda’s extractives sector. In this issues, find out the progress of Uganda’s Rare Earths project and the hidden environmental costs of the project.
VOLUME 5 – ISSUE 1
In this issue, Government outs Draft Building Substances Bill, find out what the Local Government leaders think about the bill. From Karamoja region, Moroto artisanal miners to get mining license. While from the gold mines, an influx of artisanal miners from Kassanda and Busia districts has seen an influx in mercury use in Karamoja. From the Western region, an interview with Woodcross Resources: Uganda’s first integrated Tin mining and refining company. The pilot biometric registration of gold miners which commenced in volume 3 issue 2 comes to an end.