Gold In Africa – All you need to know about Gold business in Africa

Gold is one of the world’s rarest minerals, occupying up to about 0.003 parts per million of the earth’s crust. But what quantity of gold is produced in the world every year and where is it produced the most?

In 2019, the gold mine production in the world was 3463.7 tones and this reduced by 1% from 2018. This was the first year a sharp gold output decline was recorded since 2008. However, gold production has been relatively steady since 2010. This is can be attributed to the fact that currently all the easy gold has been discovered and explorers have to dig deeper to get economically viable gold deposits.

Previously, South Africa featured as the top gold producing country producing up to about 1000 tonnes in 1970. Unfortunately, its gold output has decreased steadily from then while many countries have emerged in the last few years as the growing gold producers in the world.

When it comes to mining of gold in Africa, the western countries are considerably a hotspot in this continent. Mining of gold in Africa in the ancient days was done not just by the ancient Egyptians but also by the black Africans which presently is popular as Ghana. This was previously called Gold Coast and its neighboring countries though it came at a later date.

Where is the most gold in Africa?

Africa to many is known for its diverse natural resources. But did you know that gold is one of the Africa’s main exported commodities? Most gold in Africa comes from West African countries. The largest gold in Africa is produced from Ghana which surpassed South Africa in 2019. Ghana is also popular for her numerous reserves of minerals. Other than Ghana, most active gold mining African states include Mali, Burkina Faso, Congo and Uganda. These are the leading gold produces and for anyone who is interested in investing in gold in Africa, they are hotspots to keep an eye on.

Brief history of gold in Africa

Gold in Africa: From the 5^th-8^th century, gold was the major exported commodity given the rising demand of coinage. Its exportation to the outside world increased from the 7^th-11^th century when the Mediterranean states began to demand gold in large quantities.

With the inspiration from the initial commercial transactions, West African states especially Ghana and Mali became the beneficiaries of the situation and extracted a potential of gold as a raw metal for minting. This is why Ghana was best described as ‘The Land of Gold’. Gold in Africa originally was used in Western gold coins.

From 1500, gold in Africa could power the world system of coinage. It remains one treasured mineral that has shaped the world and determinant for Africa’s interaction with the rest of the globe. For over 1500 years, gold remains the major commodity that determines not just Africa’s economy and history but also the continent’s connection with the world. Presently, the gold fields in Africa are worth billions with most active gold producers being Ghana, South Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso. Other potential hotspots include Benin, Morocco, Gambia, Uganda, D.R.C.

History also has it that gold in Africa was initially used industrially in Egypt about 3100 BCE. It was extracted from the granite filled mountains in Eastern Egypt and also in the anciently famous Nubia.

In South Africa, the first discovery of gold ever was recorded in June 1884-1886 by Jan Gerrit Bantjes who happens to be the first to discover a Witwatersrand gold reef. This was after exploring the area since the early 1880s and also co-operating the Kromdraai Gold Mine in 1883.

How to invest in gold stocks in Africa

With an ever-rising gold production worldwide, it is high time one invested in a gold stock. A gold stock is one of the most famous was to invest in the output from African continent. To invest in gold in Africa, investors have 2 major kinds of gold stocks; the large cap companies and junior miners. The large cap gold companies are popular for the lower level of risk unlike junior mining stocks which are a little tricky and usually very challenging to visitors to pick out winners within the stock market.

Unlike large cap gold companies, if a junior gold miner makes a big discovery, very few of them may have mining operations needed to develop a property and, in most cases, most of them target to hit on a deposit which is attractive in order for them to also attract the attention of the main producer who then buys from them at a profit. Investing in gold stock however requires you to have in-depth understanding that they have a direct relation to gold production.

Reach out Trade Panel International for gold business in Africa.

Gold in Uganda

Gold in Uganda still remains one of the world’s most treasured mineral resources. It is of no doubt that its wide distribution and extraction continues to benefit different nations worldwide today. Exploitation of valuable minerals like gold in Uganda plays a significant part especially in areas with scarcity looking at economic point of view.

Due to limited diversity, mining becomes the next available economic alternative for people in such places. Uganda in particular is blessed with so many gold deposits and their availability has impacted positively to the lives of local residents though this has always come with conflicts.

History of gold in Uganda

Gold in Uganda is the early days

Gold mining in Uganda has been on the increase for years. Uganda had its first case of gold production recorded in 1992 and around 2002, an estimate of 56kgs of gold in Uganda was produced. Today, sales of gold in Uganda have recorded a tremendous rise of about 30% of the country’s export revenue. In 2016, Uganda exported gold worth US Dollars 514 million. Uganda boasts of many gold deposits widely spread across the country. This presents many investment opportunities to investors in gold mining.

Most of the gold in Uganda comes from Busia, Mubende, Karamoja, Kigezi and Buhweju. Previously, the mining was conducted on a small-scale especially around Buhweju basin. Recently, some international mining companies showed interest in Uganda to invest a substantial capital in the mining industry. This resulted into increase in production of gold in Uganda which is a positive indicator for Uganda’s mining sector.

Extraction of gold in Uganda can be traced back to thousands of years. Most of the indigenous miners carried out gold mining on a very small scale mostly around the river basins. But later, the Spanish and Portuguese slave traders intruded into the area hence increased interest in gold. It should be noted that most of the fine gold in Uganda that comes from most of its deposits originates from the river gravels.

Gold mining in the past century and politics

Instability in Uganda in the past slowed development in the country as a whole. Still, this has been the case even in the recent times. Even from 19^th to 20^th century, Uganda wasn’t an attractive business destination. There was limited interest from outside investors.

The President of Uganda and other delegates inspecting processed gold

Amazingly, things began to change in 1986 when H.E. Yoweri Museveni took over power. Political stability in Uganda was realized. As a result, it has and still attracts more international mining companies to obtain gold exploration licenses. To the large mining firms, this was something positive yet also to the small-scale miners (natives in particular), it is less positive.

When large companies came to board, Kanungu, Mubende and Busia were some of the earliest gold deposits. Later, Busitema and Kisita gold mines were established. Regardless of the coming of large mines on board, the small-scale mining continued in various areas in Uganda. It should be noted that Uganda still has many other untapped gold deposits yet to be mined since most of them are still being mined using ancient techniques.

Any potential miner who wishes to join mining sector to mine gold in Uganda should have a license which is annually renewal. However, there are also other special licenses miners are required to obtain and these can be renewed after 20 years. Note, all these documents are provided to potential prospectors via the Ministry of Environment.

Mining sector in Uganda today

Mining sector in Uganda has become vibrant today with gold mining being the biggest player. Currently, Vangold is Uganda’s largest miner and conducts its gold mining explorations using 2 main subsidiaries; the Dome mines Ltd, Rwenzori Cu and Ni Ltd and Trade Panel International Limited a leading licensed gold dealer in Uganda.. It is known for conducting prospecting activities along the West Nile Area. This region includes the greenstone belt in Uganda and this area is popular as Kilo Moto gold fields on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) side.

Other than Vangold, there are also other players when it comes to mining of gold in Uganda. They include Ghana’s Blaze Metal Resources Ashanti which operates in the Eastern districts especially Bugiri and Namayingo. These areas are also credited for their diverse gold deposits.

Potential of gold mining in Uganda

While the growing mining industry is considerably good for the large companies flocking into Uganda to explore and work on the gold reserves, on the other hand, it doesn’t favor an average miner within Uganda. This is because most of the mining areas attracted mostly local miners who used traditional methods to extract gold in Uganda. Fortunately, or unfortunately, these mines are being claimed by the big multinational companies, forcing smaller miners out of those areas.

Generally, mining of gold in Uganda has a huge potential to expand her total gold production. But there is still a challenge of local residents who still use traditional methods and they aren’t willing to give up their land to commercial gold mining in areas with gold in Uganda. Instead, they are forcibly removed from the mining areas to allow for commercial operations.

However, before being allowed to mine gold in Uganda, interested companies should make assurance of giving back to the community. This can be done in different ways; through building of health facilities, schools and others. While such assurances or promises are made, small-scale miners are left out as they still face challenges to obtain permits to mine gold in Uganda. This gives opportunity to big companies to take advantage of country’s loopholes in the mining law not to pay taxes.

Gold production in Uganda

In 2017, Uganda gold production was recorded at 1800kgs. This decreased from 3000kgs for December 2016.

Does Uganda import gold from D.R. Congo?

Yes, Uganda does import some of the gold from its neighboring region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo but not in large quantities. It is later exported to Europe. Most of the gold in Uganda is also exported to the Middle East and gold features among the country’s leading foreign exchange earners.

Where to find gold in Uganda?

Mining of gold in Uganda is largely done in a few places especially Mubende, Kigezi, Ibanda and Buhweju (to the west), Karamoja (to the Northeast), Namayingo and Busia (Eastern Uganda), Kitumbi (Central Uganda).

How to obtain an export license in Uganda?

To be part of exporters for gold in Uganda, an export license/mineral export permit is a must-have and it can be obtained from Uganda Registration Services Bureau or visit www.ursb.go.ug. Upon completing registration, you will get a Certificate of Registration of Business Name (applying for local companies) or Certificate of Registration (for foreign companies).