A major milestone has been achieved for the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths Project in Uganda by the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM). The DGSM has provisionally granted Lumula Minerals, the operating company, a mining license, providing the green light for the project to be fully up and running.
This mining license marks a major step forward in developing the Makuutu Rare Earths Project, an important source of strategic mineral reserves. After nearly three years of intensive research and exaustive studies, Lumula Minerals has made large strides in getting the project ready for operations. The project, once operational, will provide a major boost for Uganda’s economy as it will have major potential sources of employment and foreign capital, Makuutu will also add to the country’s GDP.
According to Francis Balaba, DGSM Commissioner, “The provisional grant of the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths mining license marks a major step forward in developing Uganda’s mining industry and is of strategic importance to the country’s economy. We are excited that we are now able to provide our citizens with the opportunity to benefit from the project.”
This mining license will allow Lumula Minerals to start developing and eventually operate their Rare Earths ore processing activities. This is great news for Uganda in terms of economic growth and job creation. The project will create significant job opportunities, both directly and indirectly, through the successful establishment of infrastructure works, employment, and supply and distribution chains.
The Makuutu Rare Earths Project is unique for Uganda as it is the first Heavy Rare Earths project in the country and it is expected to be a great driver for innovation. The project also has enormous potential for discovering new deposits of Heavy Rare Earths that have not been explored in the potential areas.
The DGSM’s approval of the Makuutu Rare Earths project marks an important milestone for Uganda’s mining industry and for the country’s economy. When fully operational, the project will not only provide employment opportunities and generate sustainable economic development, it will also add to the country’s long-term strategic mineral reserves.