Uganda Set to Inaugurate Premier Tin Refining Facility in Southwestern Region
louis Buyisiwe
Apr 4, 2024
Kampala, Uganda - In a significant stride towards bolstering its mining sector, Uganda is poised to launch its inaugural tin processing plant next month, signaling a major leap in the nation's efforts to enhance its mineral value chain. This strategic move, aimed at augmenting domestic processing capabilities, aligns with President Yoweri Museveni's vision to maximize the East African country's export benefits.
Expansion of Mineral Processing Capabilities
Uganda, home to multiple gold refineries and a recent beneficiary of Chinese investment through Sunbird Resources' limestone mining for cement production, is now extending its processing repertoire to include tin, a valuable metal widely used in various industrial applications.
Irene Bateebe, a senior official at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, confirmed the impending commissioning of the tin refining facility.
"This marks the dawn of a new era in Uganda's mineral sector, as we unveil our very first tin processing plant,"
Woodcross Resources: At the Helm of Innovation
The pioneering plant, owned by Woodcross Resources, a distinguished player in Uganda's mining and mineral trading arena, is set to refine tin with over 99% purity, a testament to the advanced technological capabilities being introduced in the region. Although the investment details remain undisclosed, the significance of this venture in enhancing Uganda's mineral value addition cannot be overstated.
Woodcross Resources, with a robust presence in the sector, holds a tin mining license covering an expansive 40 square kilometers in Western Uganda. The facility's anticipated annual capacity exceeds 1,000 tonnes, positioning Uganda as a key player in the global tin market.
A Future of Enhanced Value Addition
This development not only represents a milestone in Uganda's mineral processing journey but also reinforces the country's commitment to adding value to its natural resources. As the nation prepares for this landmark event, the global mining community watches keenly, recognizing Uganda's emerging role in shaping the future of mineral processing in Africa.
