KANUNGU – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has suspended gold mining activities at the Kayungwe gold mining site in Kanungu District, citing illegal operations conducted without the requisite mining licence.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The directive was issued by the State Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, on Thursday, 2 July 2026, following an official visit to the site.
Accompanied by Kanungu District leaders, Minister Nyamutoro discovered that Shive Mining Company was operating under an exploration licence (EL00135) instead of a valid mining permit.
She immediately halted all activities at the site, where thousands had been mining illegally for two months, and ordered the company to secure proper documentation before operations could resume.
“Considering the circumstances on the ground that the area is licensed under EL00135 to Shiye Miners Company for exploration, we have halted all ongoing operations with immediate effect to streamline and have the artisans formalised,” Nyamutoro stated.
Minister Nyamutoro reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting small-scale miners and encouraged local groups like Rugyeyo and Kanungu Artisanal Mining Companies to pursue legal licensing.
The Ministry plans to help artisans form a cooperative and obtain licences under artisanal regulations, while urging all miners to cooperate and legalise their activities for mutual benefit.
“The Ministry will support the artisans to form a cooperative and have them licensed as per the artisanal regulations. We continue to call upon all miners to cooperate and legalise their activities for the benefit of both government and the people,” Nyamutoro announced.
The Minister also raised alarm over poor working conditions at the site, including inadequate sanitation, lack of nearby health facilities, use of hazardous mercury, water shortages, and insecurity.
She warned that these dangers pose serious risks to miners and surrounding communities and must be resolved before any mining operations can resume.
The development marks a decisive step by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to enforce regulatory compliance while promoting sustainable and beneficial mining practices for local communities.
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