An airborne geophysical survey conducted by the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has revealed significant deposits of gold, rare earth minerals, and base metals in Lamwo district and the wider Karamoja region.
According to Eng. Pauline Irene Bateebe, the ministry’s permanent secretary, the five-year survey began in 2020. It was carried out by the Spanish firm Xcalibur, with technical oversight from Watson and Grant, and was financed by a €20 million (Shs 85 billion) loan facility from Spain.
Bateebe described the findings as a “landmark achievement” that will transparently and sustainably unlock Uganda’s mineral wealth, in line with the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
“Both Lamwo and Karamoja have been fully covered, and the resultant data have been digitized into the national databases,” Bateebe said. “This milestone will guide government and private sector investments for the country’s benefit.”
The survey discovered gold in multiple areas, along with rare earth elements such as antimony and niobium, which are vital for high-tech industries. The findings also included copper, cobalt, nickel, chrome, and coltan, among other industrial minerals critical to renewable energy and modern manufacturing.
Isaiah Tumwikirize, project manager at the Department of Geological Survey and Mines, emphasized that the data should be regarded as a national strategic asset.
“For the first time, licensing will no longer be based on speculation but on credible scientific evidence. Only serious investors will be able to engage in meaningful exploration and development activities,” he stated.
Carlos Velandos, a senior technical project manager at Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics, told reporters that the team used a combination of geology, geophysics, chemistry, and airborne surveys to pinpoint mineral-rich zones and investment targets.
However, officials cautioned that while the discoveries are promising, further detailed exploration is necessary to determine the size, grade, and commercial viability of the deposits.
Paul Lote Komol, the Kotido LC V chairperson, welcomed the findings, expressing hope that the minerals would transform livelihoods and change the narrative of the Karamoja region.
Earlier this year, preliminary airborne mapping in the region indicated more than 300 million tonnes of limestone and marble in Moroto, Kotido, and Napak districts.
Geological studies had also identified copper, chromite, and an estimated 139,000 ounces of gold with possible reserves of 160,000 ounces in various locations. Additional deposits of iron ore and columbite-tantalite were also found across Moroto, Napak, and Kotido. Officials believe these resources could be economically viable and provide a major boost to Uganda’s development agenda.
Karamoja
General Rules of Thumb (at today’s economics):
A small underground mine usually needs at least 100,000–250,000 oz of gold reserves at decent grades (>5 g/t).
A large open-pit operation typically needs 1+ million oz in reserves, even if grades are low (0.5–1.5 g/t).
To be taken seriously by investors, a deposit is usually considered viable if it has at least 1–2 million ounces of contained gold at reasonable grades and mining conditions.
👉 In short:
100,000 oz deposit → can be viable for small-scale mining if grades are high.
1 million oz deposit → often the threshold for a commercially viable mine.
5 million oz deposit → world-class, almost always economic if technically feasible.