Conakry, Guinea | AFP | Several people were killed in clashes between gold miners on the Mali-Guinea border this week, Guinean and Malian officials said Wednesday. Despite having areas rich in gold, both Guinea and Mali are among the world’s poorest countries, with many miners going it alone or in …
Read More »Museveni’s gold dealer in trouble
Belgian in alleged US$1bn scam Kampala, Uganda | HAGGAI MATSIKO | President Yoweri Museveni commissioned it on Feb.20 amidst pomp and celebration, but just nine months later African Gold Refinery (AGR) has run into big trouble. Its Belgian owner, Alain Goetz, has been uncovered as a dealer in so-called “conflict or blood …
Read More »Mubende MPs want parliament recalled over gold mine evictions
Kampala, Uganda |GODFREY SSALI | Members of Parliament from Mubende District have accused the NRM led government of taking the people for granted over illegal evictions. The group of four out of the seven area MPs led by Bukuya MP Dr. Micheal Bukenya said that they have mobilized 150 MPs who …
Read More »All that glitters: Ghana battles illegal mining
Accra, Ghana | AFP | Ghana has long been known for its bountiful gold reserves and was called “the Gold Coast” during its colonial era. But illegal mining in Africa’s second largest producer is taking a heavy human as well as environmental and economic toll with more than $2 billion lost …
Read More »Mercury: Slow killer in Uganda’s gold mines
Mercury: Slow killer in Uganda’s gold mines Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Inside one of the dozens of gold camps that dot the foothills and valleys of Mubende in central Uganda, the hustle and bustle is astounding. “Saigon City” nestled in the valley of Kayonza; Kitumbi Sub-County is one such camp. …
Read More »Tanzania President Magufuli sacks Mines Minister
Tanzania minister sacked: Wednesday’s report found that companies exporting raw mineral sands understated the nature and quantity of precious metals in their containers and so avoided paying taxes Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | AFP | President John Magufuli fired Tanzania’s mines minister on Wednesday after a government report found minerals exports …
Read More »MUSEVENI: I love that man Trump
Museveni pushes for home-based value addition on Africa’s minerals – they belong to country Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has urged African leaders to stop what he described as ideological meandering. Leaders, he said, should thoroughly discuss and distill positions which can help their people …
Read More »Museveni in Bahir Dar for security forum on natural resources
President Yoweri Museveni is in Bahir Dar, Ethiopias’ second largest city, for the 6th TANA high-level forum on security in Africa that will focus on natural resources. Africa’s natural resource endowments stand at 12% of global oil reserves, 40% of global gold deposits, and about two thirds of the world‟s …
Read More »Uganda gold refinery raises alarm over conflict minerals
Kampala, Uganda | AFP | The inauguration of Uganda’s first gold refinery sparked concern Wednesday over the possibility of dirty minerals from regional conflict zones making their way into the country. Transparency International’s Peter Wandera told AFP the country’s failure to regulate the mineral sector meant there were “high chances” …
Read More »Museveni launches gold refinery, to abolish royalty tax
President Yoweri Museveni on Monday commissioned Uganda’s first gold refinery with a promise to abolish royalty taxes to boost the sector. The newly-built $20 million African Gold Refinery in Entebbe, is the first of its kind in the region and has the capacity of processing up to 300 kg of gold weekly. It has …
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