Kampala Dec 8, 2021
All those engaging in the mining of sand, clay and murram for export must acquire a license from the ministry of energy and mineral development.
The state minister for minerals Peter Lokeris revealed this on Tuesday while introducing a new mining and minerals bill 2021 for scrutiny.
Minister Lokeris asked the parliamentary committee on natural resources to accept sand, clay and murram as minerals since cabinet had already considered it.
“In many countries, those substances are natural resources as well which are used for commercial purposes. If it is to be used by an individual in the village, we don’t require any payment for that but if one is coming to take alot of it from a particular area for commercial purposes, it must be treated as a mineral.” Said Lokeris
Meaning the minister told the committee that in the new mining and minerals bill 2021, no foreigner will be allowed to engage in artisanal and small scale mining.
He also disclosed that in the new bill, all big or foreign companies which will be given licenses to do medium and large-scale mining in Uganda must reserve all jobs which are not technical in nature to only Ugandans and that even Ugandans with technical knowledge should also be given jobs to work in those companies.
