SEAMIC Newsletter Vol. 10

SEAMIC
SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICAN MINERAL CENTRE
m i n e r a l s f o r d e v e l o p m e n t
MINERAL POTENTIAL OF
SEAMIC MEMBER
COUNTRIES
Volume 10, Number 1
January 2008
SPECIAL ISSUE
CONTENTS
1 Investing in Angola’s Mineral
Wealth
7 Mineral Resources of
Tanzania
14 Opportunities in Mining
Investment in Uganda
22 NEWS & Coming Events

SEAMIC Newsletter
Volume 10 No. 1
January 2008
SEAMIC Newsletter is a biannual
publication of the
Southern and Eastern African
Mineral Centre (SEAMIC)
publishing scientific, policy,
information and reports about
the mineral resources development
related activities in
Africa.
Though maximum possible
check is done on the contents
of articles published in
SEAMIC Newsletter, any of
the information published in
this Newsletter reflects only
the opinion of the Author, and
SEAMIC shall take no responsibility
about the contents of
the articles.
Dear Readers, this issue of SEAMIC Newsletter is again
EDITORIAL
NOTE
dedicated to publishing the mineral resources potential of
SEAMIC member States continuing from the last issue.
In this Newsletter the other three members of the Centre namely: Angola, Tanzania
and Uganda are included in an effort to introduce and promote their mineral wealth.
In light of the above the mineral potentials of the three member States may be
summarized as follows.
Uganda has a mining history that goes back to 1920’s which include both metalic and
industrial minerals. However, the mineral resources remain largely under exploited.
Gold has been produced in different areas from different vein type and alluvial
sources, proterozoic formations of Karagwe-Ankolean system and other series. Other
metalic minerals mined or known to occur include: lead, zinc, nickel, beryl,
columbite-tantalite, bismuth and manganese. The non-metallic industrial mineral
occurrences in Uganda include carbonate rocks, phosphates, feldspars, kaolin, salt,
gypsum, silica sand, construction materials and vermiculite. The sustainable
management of mineral resources project is an ongoing program of the Ugandan
government with the aim of enhancing the mining sector to be attractive for
investment.
Editor: Mesfin W. Gebremichael
Editorial committee:
Godfrey R. L. Nkini
Elibariki C. Kimaro
Lilian Moshi
Design: Geo-information
Department, SEAMIC
Printer: DeskTop Publications
Limited
PO Box 20936
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
Tanzania is known to have conducive geological environment which is very rich in
hosting different mineral resources including gold, diamond, basemetals, and various
industrial minerals. The majority of gold output in the country is hosted in the
Archean Tanzanian craton greenstone belt around Lake Victoria area. The Ubendian
Proterozoic rocks of south-west and central Tanzania are also known to have gold
deposits. The Archean and Proterozoic rocks are also known to have other metalic
minerals including copper, cobalt, nickel and platinum. The industrial minerals
potential of Tanzania is huge covering the whole country.
Angola’s rich mineral resources is yet to be fully exploited and is attracting investment
from allover the world. Diamond takes the lion’s share to be developed next to
petroleum that occurs in the kimberlite and placer sources. Other minerals to be
exploited include gold, platinum, iron, manganese, copper, vanadium, uranium, coal,
phosphorite, kaolin and ornamental stones. Industrial minerals like limestone, sand,
gravel and clay are also in abundance.
For more details the reader is invited to the articles presented in this Newsletter on
the geology and mineral potential of Angola, Tanzania and Uganda.

INVESTING IN ANGOLA'S
MINERAL WEALTH
BY MINISTRY OF GEOLOGY AND MINES OF ANGOLA
BACKGROUND
Angola lies in the south-western side of the African continent.
It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West, Namibia to
the South, Zambia to the East, and the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) to the North. From west to east, Angola
comprises three physiographic zones: i) Coastal lowlands 50
to 150km wide; ii) North-South striking mountain range
100km wide rising to 2620m above sea level (Mt Moco); iii)
Central highland plateau, at 1000m to 1500m above sea level,
covering two-thirds of the country.
Angola is actively seeking to attract private local and foreign
investment to its mining sector. Known mineral resources in
Angola are widespread and offer ample investment
opportunities for small and large-scale mining.
Positive factors of primary importance to private investors in the minerals industry include:
♦ political stability
♦ mining legislation
♦ geological provenance
♦ fiscal background
♦ infrastructure
♦ minerals production.
Based on these, Angola's ranking in a global context for multinational inward investment for
mineral development has been well established. It is clear that with the continuing pattern
towards political stability, Angola's geological provenance should put the country in a very
competitive position. Decision making criteria by both exploration and mining companies is
based on such critical issues such as security of tenure, the right to expatriate profits,
management control, equity control and a stable fiscal regime. Some of the positive factors that
catch the attention of investment in exploration and mineral development are discussed below.
GEOLOGY
Angola can be subdivided into 5 main regional geological units, each containing distinct
mineral deposits as discussed below.
Quaternary to Tertiary Sedimentary Rocks comprising sand, quartzitic sandstone, gravel and
clay extend over nearly half of Angola, including the entire eastern part.
Pleistocene to Cretaceous marine sediments lie in a series of coastal basins on the western
margin of Angola.
1

Mesozoic to Paleozoic sediments
equivalent to the Karoo Supergroup
occur mainly in the Cassanje Graben, a
north-central to north-western
geographical depression. Diverse subvolcanic
and volcanic bodies occur
including kimberlites and carbonatites
along a major south-west to north-east
trend line across Angola, as well as
basalt, dolerites, syenites, trachytes and
phonolites.
Upper Proterozoic fold belts (Pan
African age) occur along the margins of
Angola's Precambrian shield, the most
important being the West Congo,
Damara and Maiombe-Macongo. They
are characterized by the occurrence of
base metal mineralisation and a variety
of industrial minerals.
Lower Proterozoic to Archean rocks
form the Angolan, Maiombe, Cassai and
Bangweulo shields and the Kwanza
horst. Granite-gneissic terrain, metavolcano-sedimentary
and metasedimentary
(greenstone) belts are
present in south-central Angola
(Cassinga and Menonogue). The
Cunene basic (ultrabasic) complex
occupies 20,000 km 2 of the southwestern
part of the Angolan shield.
MINERAL DEPOSITS
Angola has considerable mineral wealth. Currently diamond is the most important mineral
resource after oil. Precambrian shield areas, which cover a large part of the country, have
reported mineral occurrences of gold, copper, platinum group metals and other minerals which
could be commercially exploited.
Diamonds occur in kimberlites and in a variety
of placer deposits. Around 700 kimberlites of
varying sizes (65-190ha) and shapes (rounded
to elongate) are known, the grade increasing
with depth. The kimberlites are aligned along a
SW to NE trend across Angola into DRC.
Alluvial diamonds are produced from the
erosion of kimberlites of Cretaceous age (80-
120Ma). The richest diamond fields are located
in the north-eastern corner of Angola in Lunda
Norte. Past and present production is
principally from recent alluvial river deposits,
but some deposits occur in older alluvial terraces or Cretaceous conglomerates.
2

About 90% of the Gold produced in Angola before 1975 originated from the Maiombe region
of Cabinda Province mainly from small-scale alluvial sources with grades about 1g/m 3 , and
related to greenstone belts. Alluvial gold deposits are scattered throughout the territory of the
country and the major ones noted to date are: Maiombe (Cabinda), Lombidge (Cuanza Norte),
Chipindo (Huila), and Cassinga (Huila).
Small deposits of auriferous quartz vein found in many parts of the Precambrian shield. The
largest primary gold deposit recorded is M'popo (Huila) where drilling has indicated some
145,000t at a grade of 18g/t gold.
Platinum occurrences along with nickel and chrome have been reported and are associated with
mafic-ultramafic (Norite) complexes particularly in SW Angola.
Iron (40Mt at 50-60% Fe) was produced until 1975 at Cassinga – Huila Province. This was
supergene enriched high-grade ore related to a banded iron formation (BIF) of Achaean or
Lower Proterozoic age. Lower grade (30-40% Fe) iron ore, primarily taconite, itabirite and
hematite remains.
Small to medium size supergene deposits of manganese (total resource 5Mt at 55% Mn
reported) occur mostly in the Lucala faults.
Copper production stopped in 1963 (about 200,000t at 5-35% Cu from the Tetelo-Mavoivo-
Bembe polymetallic zone). Angola’s copper occurrences are related to Upper Proterozoic (West
Congo, Lufili and Damara) and Cretaceous (Upper Cuvo Formation at Cachoeiras de Binga)
– Kwanza Sul Province sedimentary basins.
About 940t of vanadium was produced until 1959 at the Lueca and Kinzo mines. Lueca
mineralisation is related to a carbonate breccias similar to Tsumeb.
3

Low grade uranium deposits, which are associated with carbonatites, phosphorites and
pegmatites, and poor quality lignite deposits were also recorded.
Significant deposits of phosphorite occur in Tertiary/Cretaceous marine sediments in Cabinda
and Zaire provinces (10Mt at 33% P 2 O 5 at Quindocacaxa).
Kaolin deposits occur at Bengo, Huila, Huambo, Bie and Uige provinces.
Good quality ornamental stones (black granites) are exported from small-scale operations in
Huila province. Marbles also used to be exported from the quarries of Namibe province.
Other construction materials, limestone, sands, gravel and clays are abundant and are being
exploited in the territory rocks of Angola.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MINING INDUSTRY
Limited modern exploration and exploitation have been done in Angola. More prospecting and
regional geochemical surveys are required in areas of good mineral potential. More work is
required in the search for and sampling of Kimberlite pipes, carbonatite associated minerals,
polymetallic stratabound deposits, Platinum Group Minerals (PGM), pegmatite and industrial
minerals. Angola's full mineral potential is yet to be established. Angola is, however,
geologically contiguous with major mineral producing countries, Namibia, Zambia,
Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazil, with well-exposed Precambrian terrain offering
excellent mineral development potential in favourable provinces. These should provide good
opportunities for commercially viable development targets to be rapidly produced by
experienced operators at a relatively low cost using state-of-the-art techniques.
Investment opportunities as prioritised by the government of Angola in the mining industry are
the following:
Diamonds: The government of Angola encourages local and foreign partners in the diamond
industry to be involved as investors both in prospecting and exploitation of diamonds in the
following areas:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Huabi (Huambo) – Alluvium
Vale do Kuvo (Huambo) – Alluvium
Dongo (Huila) – Kimberlite
Sendi (Huila) – Alluvium/kimberlite
Madimba (Zaire) – Kimberlite
Tomboco (Zaire) – Alluvium
Ngola Luíge (Malange) – Alluvium/kimberlite
Bange Angola (Malange) – Alluvium
Sombo Sul (Lunda Sul) – Alluvium
Cahama (Cunene) – Alluvium
Gold: Alluvial but mainly primary gold in the Lower Proterozoic and Archean Greenstone
Belts.
Polymetallic/Copper: Those correlated to Zambia (Alto Zambese-Moxico province), Fold
Belts (Tetelo-Mavolo-Bembe), Greenstone Belts (Namibe province, Menogue-Huambo
province, Lower Cretaceous marine sediments (Cachoeiras de Binga).
PGM and Nickel/Chrome: Mafic/ultramafic (Norite) complexes in SW Angola.
4

Diamond Mining Kimberlite Pit
Ornamental Stones Projects in Angola
Agro and Industrial Minerals: Phosphate, Potash, Dolomite, Quartz, Gypsum, Sulphur, Salt,
Fluorspar, Kaolin, Limestone, Diatomite, Talc, Feldspar and Bitumen.
Construction materials: Ornamental Stones (Anorthosites, Granite, Marble), limestone, sand,
gravel and clay.
Carbonatite Complexes: Nepheline, Niobium-tantalum, Fluorite, Barite, Rare Earth
Elements.
Iron and Manganese Ores, Pegmatite associated high quality Mica, Mineral Sands, (Titanium
and Zirconium), Mineral and Thermal Water.
LEGISLATIONS AND FISCAL REGIME
The current applicable legislations to mining activities are the following:
♦ The law on geological and mining activities, promulgated as law N. 1/92 of January 1992;
♦ The law on diamonds, promulgated as law n.16/94 of October 1994;
♦ The law on diamond reservation areas law N. 17/94 of October 1994;
♦ Decree on the rules for taxation for the mining industry promulgated as decree N. 4-b/96,
of May 1996;
♦ Decree on customer regime for the mining sector promulgated as decree N. 8-a/96 , of
May 1996;
♦ Decree on the reduction of the size of the diamond concession promulgated as decree N.
7-a/00 of February 2000; and
♦ Decree on the establishment of single marketing channel for diamonds promulgated as
decree N. 7-b/00 of February 2000.
The current fiscal regimes for the mining sector include the following:
♦ Corporate tax set at 35% on net profit;
♦ Royalty rates set at 5% on precious stones and metals, 4% on semiprecious stones, 3% on
metallic minerals and 2% on other minerals;
♦ Surface tax from US$ 1.00 to US$ 4.00 per square kilometre held is paid only during
exploration phase;
♦ Withholding tax on dividends is 15%. Mining equipment and supplies are exempt from
import duties, when not available in the country; and
♦ Depreciation on fixed assets is allowed and exploration costs can be amortized as follows:
50% in year 1; 30% and 20% in following years. Provision has to be made for the
rehabilitation of the mined area.
5

To encourage foreign investment into the country, the Angolan government made bilateral
agreements with the governments of Portugal, Brazil, Cuba, Russia, China, South Africa, DRC
and Mozambique to facilitate investment flow to Angola from these countries. Such cooperations
have been extended to many other countries also. The scope of these agreements
includes the following:
♦ Exchange of information on technologies and scientific data;
♦ Exchange of information on government projects, business opportunities,
commercialisation, market potential and mineral development;
♦ Developing co-operative projects in the field of geology, mining, mineral exploration,
mineral beneficiation and mineral economics;
♦ Training and development of specialists for the environment, health and safety, mining and
minerals industry; and
♦ The promotion and support of co-operation between mining companies of the partnering
countries.
Furthermore, the government of Angola is also actively participating in regional and
international cooperation to improve the mining sector to be more attractive to investment. In
the mineral sector, Angola is a member of SEAMIC, SADC Mining Protocol, African
Diamond Producing Countries (ADPC) and Kimberly Process.
CONCLUSION
Angola is still one of the least explored countries in Africa, but its territory presents attractive
geological and mining potential. The government of Angola is actively taking measures seeking
to mobilize the flow of investment to the national mining sector in order to benefit the lives of
the Angolan people through efficient development of its huge mineral wealth.
Mining companies are invited to invest in the mining industry of Angola with a view of
establishing partnership and businesses based on sustainability and mutual benefit.
Ministry of Geology and Mines
Avenida Ho-Chimin
Predio Geominas 4º Andar
PO Box 1260
Luanda - Angola
Tel/Fax : (244)-22 2322569/ (244) – 22 2321918
Website: www.angolamine.com
E-mail : kilimanjaru2007@yahoo.com.br
ENDIAMA
Rua Major Knahangulo Nº 100
Luanda - Angola
Tel: (244) 22 2333018 / 2334585 / 2332718
Fax:(244) 22 2333271 / 2337216
Site:www.endiama.co.ao
6

MINERAL RESOURCES OF TANZANIA
BY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF TANZANIA
Tanzania is blessed to have a geological environment conducive for hosting diverse types of
mineral deposits. The country hosts a mining investment area close to one million square
kilometres with litho-types virtually representing all the known chrono-stratigraphical units of
the world ranging from Archean, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic to Quaternary ages. These
geological formations host a variety of minerals such as gold, basemetals, Platinum Group
Metals (PGM), diverse types of gemstones (including tanzanite, diamond, emerald, sapphire,
coloured quartz, ruby, beryl, tourmaline, garnet, etc.), various industrial minerals (coal, salt,
kaolin, phosphates, mica, corundum), building materials and hydrocarbons (mainly natural
gas).
GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
Much of the central and northern part of the country is underlain by the Tanzanian Archean
Craton. The central part of the country is composed of the high grade metamorphic terrain
whereas the northern part is covered by the Greenstone Belt. The Tanzania Archean Craton is
well known as a host for world-class gold deposits similar to other Archean Cratons around the
world. The Craton is also intruded by a number of diamondiferous kimberlitic pipes.
The Tanzania Archean Craton is engulfed to the southeast and southwest by Palaeoproterozoic
Usagaran and Ubendian mobile belts respectively, with high grade crystalline metamorphic
rocks with a number of post-orogenic gabbroic and granitic intrusives hosting base metals,
shear zone hosted gold, various types of gemstones and industrial minerals. The eastern part of
the Usagaran Belt is mobilized by the Neoproterozoic Pan African Orogeny forming the
Mozambique Belt with lithological, structural and metallurgical characteristics similar to that
of the Usagaran - Ubendian Belt.
The Palaeoproterozoic Ubendian mobile belt is bound to the west by the mildly
metamorphosed Mesoproterozoic Fold Belt. The supercrustal rocks of this Belt are intruded by
post orogenic granites which have alteration haloes containing veins with tin and tungsten
mineralization. The Belt is also characterized by post-orogenic basic intrusives hosting PGM.
The Uha-Malagarasi Neoproterozoic to Early Palaeozoic age is an intracratonic formation
consisting of sedimentary-volcanic depositional sequences of sandstones, quartzites, shales, red
beds, dolomitic limestones, cherts and amygdaloidal lavas with indications of strata-bound
copper deposits and various industrial minerals.
The Phanerozoic formations in Tanzania include the following:-
(i) The Karoo Supergroup of late Carboniferous to Jurassic age
(ii) Marine Formations that are dominated by shelf-facies clay bound sands, marls and some
isolated coral reefs
(iii) Neogene to Quaternary continental formations in
a. isolated basins and river channels composed of clays, limestone, evaporates and sands;
b. volcanic rocks ranging in composition from lavas, tuffs, ash and pumice;
c. volcanic fumarolic exhalative deposits.
7

8
Generalised geological map of Tanzania

Despite having such a geological environment, which is conducive for hosting diverse types of
mineralization, most of the mining activities in Tanzania (gold and diamonds) are concentrated
in the Archean Craton. However, in recent years, mining activities of these minerals have been
extended to the mobile belts, a situation facilitated by the fact that most of the lithologies in
the mobile belts originate from tectonic reworking of the marginal portions of the Craton as
proved by most of the recent geochronological research findings available at the Geological
Survey of Tanzania.
ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT
In the past few years, Tanzania reviewed its investment policy and adopted a Fiscal and
Regulatory regime that has succeeded to attract large private sector led capital investments in a
number of production sectors, mining inclusive. These policy reforms coupled with the good
geological environment have led to the opening up of modern mines including six world class
gold mines of North Mara (Africa Mashariki), Buhemba, Geita, Tulawaka, Bulyanhulu
(Kahama), and Nzega (Golden Pride); one tanzanite mine at Merelani and one diamond mine
at Mwadui. Buzwagi gold mine and Kabanga nickel mine are in an advanced stage of mine
development.
MINERAL DEPOSITS
Gold
About 90% of the total gold output has been won from the Archean Tanzania craton greenstone
belts south and east of Lake Victoria in Northern Tanzania. The remainder of the gold output
has been from the Ubendian Proterozoic rocks, principally in the Lupa in the southwest and
Mpanda fields in the west-central Tanzania. Archean greenstones were deposited in weak zones
in the primitive crust and subsequently affected by intense folding and intrusion of granites.
New exploration fronts include the Kitowero Proterozoic rocks in Masasi south eastern
Tanzania, Mbinga in the southwest, Handeni, Kilosa, Morogoro and Muheza in the east. The
exploration trend now focuses on the mobile belts which have proved in part to represent
tectonically reworked Archean crust. Gold is also known in epithermal Prospects like
Wingayongo in the south east. Rich deposits in the matrix of cobbles in zones over bedrock are
being mined in possibly Tertiary to Quaternary laterites and lateritic soils in the Rwamagaza
greenstone belt at Buziba.
Geita greenstone belt: This is an east-west trending belt which hosts the world class Geita
Gold mine with a resource of 20 million ounces grading on average 4.0 g/t. The greenstone belt
is marked by high relief hills, ridges and a plateau underlain by steeply dipping banded iron
formation (BIF). The Nyanzian Supergroup formations comprise pyroclastics, overlying mafic
volcanics. Laterite is well developed at the surface over mafic volcanic units. Gold
mineralization occurs in native form, often in close association with pyrite, and pyrrhotite in
fractures concordant with the bedding of banded iron formation units. Stratiform
mineralization predominates although quartz reefs are mineralized at some deposits.
Other Gold deposits in the belt include: Lone Cone with a resource of 3.5 M oz; Nyamulilima
has a resource of 2 M oz; The Ridge 8 has a resource of over 0.5 M oz; The Saragura or Allways
Deposit has a gold resource of over 271,000 ounces of gold.
Rwamagaza greenstone belt: This belt lies south of the Geita Greenstone belt and probably
represents the same rocks on the other limb of an anticlinorium. Outcrops of massive mafic
volcanics with some thin beds of tuff are notable. The principal gold mine used to be Mawe
Meru, which is a high grade gold quartz vein containing much pyrite and chalcopyrite. The
9

production from the mine was 90,000 tons of ore at a grade of 25 g/t. The Buckreef mine which
has gold resource of 614,000 oz at a grade of 4.08 g/t occurs in a mineralized shear system and
has a steep dip to the east in both the north and south ends but in the centre the shear is
vertical. The deposit contains 3.7 Mt ore, grading 3.26 g/t gold. The Rwamagaza mine consists
of numerous auriferous quartz reefs found in a shear zone. Gold values range from 3.4 g/t to
51.3 g/t. The most recent mine in the Lake Victoria Goldfield is Tulawaka Gold Deposit, a
high grade mine with a resource of 1.7 M oz gold.
Kahama greenstone belt: The Bulyanhulu mine is a world class deposit with a resource
estimated at 14.6 Million oz grading 15 g/t. The stratigraphy of Bulyanhulu is characterized by
Lower Nyanzian Supergroup volcano-sedimentary sequence largely comprised of bimodal
mafic and felsic extrusive and intrusive rocks.
♦ The Golden- Ridge deposit has a resource of 34 Mt of ore grading 1.46 g/t. It is underlain
by folded and thrusted felsic volcanic and pyroclastic rocks and BIF.
♦ Nyakafuru deposit has a resource of 730,000 oz at an average of 6.32 g/t. Dominant
lithologies include mafic volcanic rocks and dolerite intrusions, mafic to intermediate
tuffaceous, volcanoclastic units quartz feldspar porphyry and porphyry intrusions.
♦ The Jubilee Gold reef mineralization occurs in shear zones of highly folded BIF in contact
with rhyolite tuff, cut by chert intercalations. Within the shear zone gold – quartz veins are
localized in sub-parallel faults. High gold values up to 46g/t have been reported and
exploration is in progress.
Major mining activities of Tanzania
Buhungukira greenstone belt: There are several gold occurrences in this belt which include the
Mwamazengo, Luhala and Kitongo. The Kitongo deposit contains a resource of over 10.5 Mt
of ore, grading at 1.42g/t
Kilimapedha greenstone belt: The geological setting comprises Nyanzian greenstones
composed of intermediate to mafic tuffs, mafic and felsic volcanics and BIF. Gold is in steep
dipping lodes which contain quartz veins of low sulphide concentration in the form of pyrite
and chalcopyrite.
10

Musoma-Mara greenstone belt: The Buhemba Mine produced 12.4 tons of gold and ranked
second after Geita in 1960s. Rocks of Nyanzian Supergroup host the gold mineralisation and
comprise a sequence of basic and felsic volcanics and tuffs with BIF. The Kiabakari, another old
mine, is tabular, siliceous, with steeply dipping ore bodies in sericitic schist, overlain by laterite.
It has been mined to a depth of 450m. The main ore body has a grade of 6.7g/t and is under
exploration. The mine was once the third largest gold producer in Tanzania.
The Afrika Mashariki Mine (Nyabirama and Nyabigena) in North Mara, is a mine under
production with an ore resource of 4.1 M oz gold. The deposit, hosted in andesites and
andesitic tuffs occurs along shear zones. Other deposits include Ikungu, Mrangi, Simba Sirori,
Nyanisero, Nyasirori and Golden Glory.
Nzega greenstone belt: Greenstones of the Nyanzian Supergroup comprise felsic volcanics,
BIF, and subordinate mafic volcanics and sedimentary rocks. Mineralisation is hosted by BIF
or felsic tuffs.
Golden Pride gold deposit: This mine has a resource of over 2.8 M oz at a grade of 2.6 g/t.
Mineralisation is hosted within an east-west striking, steeply dipping, brittle-ductile shear zone
within a sequency of volcaniclastic and siliclastic rocks of Archean age. Lithologies dip steeply
to the north and south. The shear zone mineralization extends over 14 km. Other mines
include: Canuck mine and Matinje mine.
Iramba-Sekenke greenstone belt: Greenstone-belt gold prospects occur over a broad area
concentrated around the Iramba Plateau. The Sekenke Gold Mine was discovered in 1907 and
worked at an average grade of 15.4 g/t gold and 2.5 g/t silver. Several parallel quartz veins
contain gold values close to the contact between greenstones and diorite. Other old mines in
the belt include Kirondatal, Union Gold Mine, Kinyalele, and Kisamamba.
Lupa gold field: The Lupa Gold Field is underlain by a block of deformed and highly
metamorphosed schists and gneisses with intermixed BIF, volcanics and granitic intrusions.
The belt differs from the Lake Victoria goldfield in being hosted by metamorphic rocks of
predominantly Proterozoic age rather than Archean. Gold is associated with quartz reefs
emplaced in shear zones. Alluvial and eluvial gold deposits are not uncommon. The known gold
deposits with past mining record in the area are: New Saza, Gap, Nkutano, Ruth, Maperi,
Razorback, Ntumbi reef, Andura, Chisu, Kasanga bridge and Kizumbe. Placer gold used to be
mined at Chapa, Zira and Matundas. Currently, few exploration companies are in the area
trying to locate mineable gold deposits. Small-scale gold miners are producing limited amount
of gold.
Mpanda gold field: This belt is underlain mainly by rocks of Paleoproterozoic age though some
Archean dates have been reported. The known deposits are: The Mukwamba old base metal
mine (essentially a 0.1-1% copper, 1-3% lead, 1.5 g/t gold and 50-200g/t silver deposit).
Mineralisation is confined to a shear zone in chlorite-sericite schist. In general the veins consist
of banded quartz with variable amounts of siderite, calcite, barite, sericite, hematite, pyrite,
galena, chalcopyrite and gold. Other deposits in the area include, Magamba Reef, D-Reef,
Sikitiko Kapapa and Katuma.
Copper, cobalt and associated minerals
Base-metal occurrences have been found in Archean and Proterozoic rocks of Tanzania. A
world class Kapalagulu platinum-copper-nickel prospect is now under extensive exploration.
The Kabanga nickel-cobalt-copper is another world class deposit on advanced stage of
exploration.
11

Industrial minerals
Industrial minerals are found in all the regions of Tanzania. However, only a few have been
developed for local use and even fewer for export.
Phosphate: Igneous phosphate deposits include: Panda Hill carbonatite has 4% P 2 O 5 resource
of 200Mt; Sangu Ikola carbonatite has 10% P 2 O 5 resource of 8-10Mt. ; Zizi carbonatite has
7% P 2 O 5 , a resource of 57Mt. Sedimentary deposits of mainly guano phosphate include
Minjingu phosphate with 20% P 2 O 5 resource of 10Mt is currently processed for direct
application.
Limestone: Wazo Hill limestone reserves are estimated at 20Mt. Pongwe Maweni limestone
deposit has reserves 10 million tons of cement. Songwe Limestone deposit of 72Mt is mined
for lime, cement and dimension stones. Small scale lime operations are scattered all over the
country and there are medium scale lime works at Maweni, and Pongwe Tanga and Dar es
Salaam.
Magnesite: Magnesite reserves at the defunct Chambogo mine are over 280,000t. At Loblosoit
a reserve of 4,926,377 tons were proven. Other deposits include: Gelai, Markestain, Kwepungu,
Haneti, Mgagao in Pare Mts, Lugalla Hills in Morogoro, Vugu Mts in Handeni, Msanya Hills
in Chunya, Ngasamo in Mwanza and Kikombo in Dodoma.
Gypsum: Gypsum is mined at Itigi, Kilwa, Msagali, Makanya (1Mt) and Mkomazi (829, 000t).
The Itigi gypsum is good for chalk and plaster powder (now under production). The Kilwa
occurrence (2Mt) are likely to have enough gypsum for plaster board production.
Bentonite: Gelai bentonite deposit has been estimated over 300,000t of which 200,000t are of
high (first) quality bentonite. Other occurrences are at Sinya and Minjungu.
Mica: Mica occurrences in the pegmatite are scattered within the country and have enough
scrap mica to keep small scale collectors busy for several years while sending products to the
paint industry. Vermiculite is utilised sparingly in energy efficient charcoal stoves made in small
scale workshops. New attempts should be made on its use as a commodity in hypoponic
agriculture
Graphite: Graphite resources are mainly within the Usagaran Supergroup. It includes
occurrences at Merelani, Nachingwea, and Ndanda/Chikundi. Others are at Mahenge, East
Ulanga Mpwapwa, Mlali and in Rukwa.
Bauxite: Bauxite occurrences at Amani and Lushoto have grades as high as 57.72% and with a
minimum of 20% Al 2 O 3 .
Soda ash: Lake Natron has reserves of about 136 million tons of Na 2 CO 3 , 28.7 million tons of
NaCl, 5.4 million tons of Na 2 SO 4 and 2.4 million tons of NaF, etc. Others are in Bahi swamp
and Lake Balangida (580,000t).
Kaolin: Sedimentary type Kaolin deposits at Pugu hill have an estimated resource of 2,000 Mt
and the primary (residual) type kaolin at Chimala, Mbeya has an estimated resource of 26Mt
(white), 12Mt (pink). The Malangali kaolin requires further exploration.
Refractories: Glass sands in coastal areas including Pugu kaolin by-products have sand reserves
of 1,234,000 t. The Lake Victoria shore sands amount to 1,000,000 t of white high quality sand
at Bukoba.
12

Building and dimension minerals
Granites: The commercial term “granite” here includes such rocks as granite, granite gneiss,
granodiorite, the granite-gabbro series, diabase (dolerite), anorthosite and pyroxenite. Others
are phonolites and basalts. These are readily available in Tanzania amongst the Archean and
Proterozoic rocks and Tertiary volcanics.
Dimension stones: The use of polished granite is not well developed in Tanzania. Some of the
dimension stones which are being developed include marble and unconsolidated volcanic
materials. The grey, white and pinkish marble is exploited at Nagaga along Masasi-Newala
road. Marble at Igawa and Masasi is being exploited while that of same quality at Morogoro
and Handeni is yet to be mined.
Stone and aggregates: Building of houses and other structures with stones conserve cement
production materials and energy rather than building with burnt brick or cement stabilized
blocks. The use of bricks cut from consolidated volcanic tuff and scoria is common in
Kilimanjaro and Arusha. Building bricks are also cut from sandstones of the Bukoban and
Malagarasi Supergroup rocks in Bukoba and Kigoma Regions.
Clays: Proven suitable clays for bricks and tiles are available in bulk in Iringa, Arusha, Dar es
Salaam and Mwanza regions. Small and medium investments on bricks and tiles can be
introduced in almost all the regions.
FURTHER PROSPECTS
Despite the already known mineral potential, the geological environment of Tanzania suggests
that there is a high probability of discovering more mineral resources of economic use. These
thoughts are complemented by the fact that exploration programs in Tanzania are immature as
compared to other countries (such as Australia, Canada and South Africa) with similar
geological environment. In addition, most of the mineral development programs in Tanzania
have concentrated mainly on gold and gemstones. Potential for base metals and industrial
minerals is high. In the turn of the century, the investment policy and geology attracted foreign
investors whereby in 2001 mining in Tanzania recorded highest growth rate of 13.5%. This rise
was directed to high priced minerals. There were no heavy investments in industrial minerals
except in cement manufacturing.
The Chief Executive Officer
Geological Survey of Tanzania
PO Box 903
DODOMA-TANZANIA
Tel/Fax: +255 26 2323020
E-mail: madini-do@gst.go.tz
13

OPPORTUNITIES IN MINING INVESTMENT
IN UGANDA
BY Geological Survey and Mines Department of Uganda
INTRODUCTION
The geology of Uganda can be sub-divided into five
major domains; Crystalline Precambrian Basement,
Precambrian ‘covers’ formations, Cretaceous-Tertiary
carbonatite/alkali intrusions, Tertiary-Quaternary
volcanics and Quaternary sediments. These domains are
characterized by particular mineral association.
The minerals of Uganda grouped as metallic and
industrial minerals were discovered and mined since
1920s. To date the mineral resources of the country
remain largely under exploited due to various reasons
including decades of unfavourable political climate and
economic policies as well as inadequate geological
information. The Department of Geological Survey and
Mines is the government body charged with the
management of geological and mineral resources of
Uganda whose mission is to establish, promote the development, strategically manage and
safeguard the rational and sustainable utilization of mineral resources for economic and social
development.
GEOLOGY
Precambrian Rocks
Crystalline Precambrian Basement: Wholly granitized and medium to high metamorphic
formations: The crystalline Precambrian rocks are gneisses, granites in the central and
northern parts of Uganda, granulite facies rocks (the Watian), acid gneisses (the Aruan), flaggy
epidote-amphibolite facies rocks (the Mirian) which tectonically post-dates the Aruan in West
Nile. This domain is host to minerals including asbestos, graphite, kyanite, garnet, talc,
feldspar, kaolin, clays and stone for aggregate. In the Karamoja region, north-eastern part of
Uganda, the rocks are biotite and hornblende-biotite gneisses, amphibolites and
metacalcareous assemblages, with notable marbles, ultrabasic rocks and quartzites (the
Karasuk group) and have similar characteristics to the Mirian. The formation hosts minerals
such as gold, copper, zinc, chromium, platinum and marble.
Precambrian ‘cover’ formations: Partially granitized
♦ Nyanzian System-(~ 2,500 Ma): The system is comprised of volcanic rocks with
subordinate sediments that occur in the south-east of Uganda forming the greenstone belt
extending to Kenya and rests on the Basement Complex.
♦ Buganda-Toro System-(2,000-1,800 Ma): This system is predominantly composed of
argillaceous rocks, varying from phyllites to mica schists, with basal arenites which tend
to thicken westwards and amphibolites thickening eastwards.
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♦
♦
♦
Karagwe-Ankolean System-(1,400-1,300 Ma): This system lies unconformably on the
Buganda-Toro System in the south-west. The rocks are similar to the Buganda-Toro
formations but are less metamorphosed.
Madi Series: The Madi series occupy a small area in the north-west and is comprised of
flaggy arenites interbedded with argillites containing ferruginous and calcareous layers,
folded on north-northwesterly trending and gently plunging axes.
Kyoga Series: The Kyoga series occur on the northern side of Lake Kyoga and comprises
shales and quartzitic sandstones of upper proterozoic age (540-1,000 Ma).
Precambrian: Non-granitized formations
♦ The Singo, Mityana and Bukoban Series: These are mainly arenaceous, unmetamorphosed
and little folded.
♦ The Kavirondian: This system lies against and appears to post-date the Nyanzian System.
It is made up of grits, greywackes and quartzites.
♦ The Bunyoro Series: The rocks are made up of shales and phyllites with larger quantities
of grits, arkoses and tillites, gently folded and appear to overlie directly the undifferentiated
gneiss complex.
Other rocks
♦ The granite-gneiss domes ‘Arena granites’: Mobilized basement rocks mantled in
Karagwe-Ankolean rocks are found in southwest Uganda while gneiss domes have been
identified in gneisses of West Nile.
♦ Intrusives: Intrusive rocks occur in many parts of Uganda, the old known intrusives
including the Masaba and Bududa granites date back to 2900 Ma (lead ages).
Paleozoic Rocks
The most northerly known rocks of the Karoo in Africa comprising shale containing
glossopteris flora occur in small down-faulted outliers near Bugiri on Dagusi Island and
underlying part of Entebbe. They were deposited between 250 and 540 Ma.
Mesozoic and Cainozoic Rocks
The eastern volcanic rocks of Cretaceous to Miocene age (135 – 5.30 Ma) comprise generally
soda-rich agglomerates, lavas and tuffs extruded by central volcanoes represented by mountains
Moroto, Kadam and Elgon. Carbonatite ring complexes at Tororo, Sukulu, Bukusu and Napak
and syenite complexes such as Zulia represent eroded remnants of volcanics of similar
geological suite. They are underlain by sediments of the Bugisu Series associated with Mt.
Elgon.
The Western Rift Valley Sediments are divided into several series such as the Kaiso, Kisegi and
Semliki beds. They contain some fossiliferous that ascribe to Pliocene to Pleistocene age (3.4-
1.75 Ma) and measures up to 4000 m depth.
The Western volcanic formations are Pleistocene in age (~1.75 Ma) and unusually potash-rich.
They form the prominent cones of Bufumbira in the southwest belonging to the volcanic suite
still active in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Further north, along the Rift Valley,
Pleistocene volcanic activity is represented by several explosion craters of Katwe-Kikorongo,
Kichwamba and Fort Portal.
Lateritisation: is widespread throughout the country and remnants of Cretaceous laterites cap
many hills.
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Major Structures
There are two major structural patterns in Uganda namely:
♦ Aswa fault Zone: This is a zone of mylonites trending northwest-southeast from Nimule
in Sudan following the course of the Nile to near Mt. Elgon in the southeast for over 300
kilometres along the course of River Aswa.
♦
The Western Rift Valley: This is part of East African Rift system and runs the length of
Uganda from north-east to south-west. It constitutes the Lake Edward, George, Albert
and the Rwenzori Mountains horst block.
MINERAL POTENTIAL OF UGANDA
Ores of various metallic minerals and industrial minerals have been discovered in Uganda,
others developed into mines while a number of them are being evaluated by the private sector
for their economic potential. Numerous artisanal mining and small scale exploitation of mineral
resources is on-going.
Metallic Minerals
Copper ores
♦ Kilembe: Chalcopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite form the primary copper ores. The reserves
were approximately 6 million tonnes of which 4.2 million tonnes with a copper content of
1.77% were in proven category. The ore is associated with cobalt (currently being extracted
through bio-leach method), nickel and gold as well as kaolin.
♦ Karamoja region: Copper mineralization in Karamoja is associated with zinc, gold and
silver.
Iron ores: Iron occur at Muko (30-50 million tonnes at up to 98% Fe 2 O 3 ), Butare (1.1 million
tonnes), Kashenyi (1.2 million tonnes), Kyanyamuzinda (2.4 million tones) and Kamena in
southwestern Uganda. In eastern Uganda iron ores are found at Sukulu (45 million tones at
62% Fe) and Bukusu (23 million tonnes at 62% Fe) in Tororo and Mbale districts respectively.
Tin ores (Cassiterite): Tin province of Uganda is found in the Karagwe-Ankolean System.
Cassiterite is confined to shales and sandstones in elluvial, detrital, pegmatitic and
hydrothermal vein deposits.
Tungsten: Wolframite is found in two regions: the southwestern Uganda and the Singo area in
Mubende district. They can be classified as mesothermal deposits of low-grade and
hypothermal high grade deposits. Major wolfram producing mines in Uganda belonging to the
former type are Nyamuliro (0.7 million tonnes at 0.15% wolfram), Ruhizha (20 million tones
at up to 4% wolfram) of inferred resources still in place and Kirwa (2.7 million tonnes of
indicated and inferred resource at a grade of 0.13% wolfram) still expected at the mine.
Gold
♦ Busia-Bugiri goldfield: Gold was discovered near Busia in 1932 by the Geological Survey
of Uganda. Vein and alluvial prospects have been mined sporadically where most of 1.0 to
1.5 tonnes of gold produced from 1937 to 1952 came from the Tira and Amonikakinei
mines.
♦ Buhweju Goldfield: The bulk of won gold in Uganda was from small but rich alluvials on
and around the Buhweju Plateau, which is a large Middle Proterozoic basin (1,600-
900Ma) composed of phyllites, shales, schists and quartzite rocks of the Karagwe-
Ankolean System.
17

♦
♦
♦
Kigezi Goldfield: The source of the gold is considered to be the Karagwe-Ankolean
System rocks or associated porphyritic granite and quartz veins as well as ironstone lenses
hosted by these rocks.
Mubende-Kiboga Goldfield: Gold occurs in thin quartz stringers in schists of the Singo
Series at Kamalenge area and is also found in the saprolite zone of weathering just above
unaltered bedrock.
Karamoja Goldfield: Gold was first reported in gravels of River Kalere near Kaabong in
1960. Commercial gold exploitation was done in 1983 by artisans who worked alluvial,
colluvial and elluvial material until primary sources were found.
Lead: Galena has been worked out at Kitomi forest from hydrothermal quartz veins emplaced
in the rocks of Igara schists and post-Igara epidiorite. Other prospects are Kitaka, Kampono
and Kanyambogo.
Zinc: Zinc occurs in association with lead at Kitaka Mine and Cu-Zn-Au-Ag mineralization
at Bobong gossan in Karamoja.
Nickel: Nickel occurs in association with cobalt at the pyrite/pyrhotite concentrate stock pile at
Kasese. The proven reserve is 1.1 million tonnes at 0.4% Ni.
Beryl: Beryl is found in acid pegmatites identical in composition with those worked for
columbite-tantalite in the schistose aureoule surrounding post Karagwe-Ankolean granites.
Beryl was found at Kazumu, Bulema and Ishasha. Beryl associated with cassiterite is also found
at Nyinamaherere mine and Mwirasandu where large reserves of fine beryl are known to be in
the tailings.
Columbite-tantalite: Workable deposits of columbite-tantalite are confined within pegmatites
and are genetically related to post-Karagwe-Ankolean arena granites of southwest Uganda. In
18

Mubende area, pegmatites have been found to contain the mineral. Major columbite-tantalite
deposits in Uganda include Kakanena, Jemubi, Nyanga and Ngoma-Kazumo with up to 83%
Ta 2 O 5 and 70% Nb 2 O 5 . The most important niobium mineral is pyrochlore which occurs in
carbonatites at Sukulu (130 million tones at 0.2% Nb 2 O 5 ) and Butiru in east and at Napak and
Toror in Karamoja.
Bismuth: Bismuthite and native bismuth occur in highly oxidized veins and bodies emplaced
in rocks of the Karagwe-Ankolean System close to the Kayonza granite intrusive. The most
prospective location is Rwanzu, and others are Muramba, Kyambeya, Rwenkuba, Kitawulira,
Kitwa and Nyakashunzu.
Manganese: Manganese-ore occurrences have been found in Isandara, Gulika, Kirongo and
Gweitengya in western region.
Radioactive minerals and REE: Potential favourable geological environment for radioactive
mineral enrichment are the eastern Uganda carbonatite complexes, the Uganda volcanic fields,
the granitised domes of eastern and western Uganda, the fault zones and the adjacent highlands
of western and northern Uganda.
Industrial Minerals (Non-Metallic Minerals)
Carbonate rocks: Carbonatite centres include: Bukiribo (16.5 million tonnes), Sukulu
(Magnesia >3.5% and P 2 O 5 ~3.7%), Napak, Toror and Lolekek. Limestone include: Hima
limestone (about 18 million tonnes) and Muhokya and Dura limestone deposits.
Phosphates: Phosphates occur in the Eastern Carbonatite complexes and in the overlying
residual soils as apatite at Sukulu (230 million tonnes at 12.8% P 2 O 5 ) and Busumbu. Over
160,000 tonnes of apatite concentrate for Single Super Phosphate (SSP) fertilizer were
extracted from residual soils. Reserves of 3 million tonnes at 11% P 2 O 5 and 5.5 million tonnes
at 15% P 2 O 5 with acceptable levels of silica, Mg, Cd and Pb were estimated at Busumbu.
Feldspars: Feldspars occur in pegmatites of which small amounts have so far been mined at
Bulema and Nyabakweri Mines and Lunya for ceramics production. Also a number of
pegmatites with a high possibility of recoverable quantities of feldspar for example at Mutaka
occur in South-Western Uganda.
Kaolin: Kisai/Kooki, and Namasera kaolin is known to have been formed by alteration of
sedimentary shales and about 2.5 million tonnes and 64,000 tonnes of good material for
ceramics has been estimated respectively. At Mutaka the kaolin deposit is associated with
pegmatites. Other kaolin occurrences which are kaolinised granitoids are located at Buwambo
and Migade.
Salts: Best known reserves are located in the lake brines of Lake Katwe (2.5 km 2 and 0.75 m
depth) located on the Northern shore of Lake Edward in the Western Rift Valley. The lake
constitutes of about 22.3 tonnes of mixed salts (i.e. NaCl - 8%, NaSO 4 - 9%, KSO 4 - 3%, KCl
- 2% and KBr - 2%).
Gypsum: Gypsum occurs in the Quaternary sediments at Kibuku (12 million tones of
gypsiferrous clay worth 1.2 million tonnes of gypsum concentrate at 85% gypsum), Lake
Mburo (1.1M tones of gypsiferrous clay worth 290,000 tonnes of gypsum concentrate at 60-
70% gypsum) and Muhokya (3.2 million tonnes of gypsiferrous clay capable of producing
40,000 tonnes of gypsum concentrate at 86-90% gypsum).
Silica Sand: Beaches of white sand formed from erosion of quartzites in the basement and cover
sequences occur in several places along the shores of Lake Victoria. Grain size analysis data
19

eveals that in untreated form this sand is suitable for coloured glass and colourless glass if
upgraded.
Construction Materials: Uganda’s geology is favorable for construction materials with the
occurrences of sand and gravel within Tertiary-Quaternary sediments while basement and
intrusives provide materials for aggregates in housing and road construction and dimension
stones for cladding house walls and floors.
Vermiculite: This occurs in the carbonatite complexes in Sukulu and Bukusu in eastern
Uganda. The most promising locality is at Namekara (Bukusu deposit - 125,000 tonnes of
recoverable good quality vermiculite). Vermiculite has also been recorded at Nakhupa, Sekusi,
Surumbusa and Kabutalo all within Bukusu Carbonatite Complex.
Other industrial minerals with possible potential for development include:
1. Bentonite is reported in Quaternary sediments in and around Mt. Elgon and in Western
Rift Valley, north of Butiaba.
2. Diatomite occurs in the Western Rift Valley sediments at Panyango, Atar and Alui near
Pakwach, northwestern Uganda.
3. Pozzolanic material occurs in Kisoro in the extreme south-west of the country and around
the western Rift near Fort Portal, Kasese and Kazinga Channel, Bunyaruguru and Ndale.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY POTENTIAL
The geothermal energy potential of Uganda was estimated at 450MW in 1982. There is a
current ongoing study aimed at establishing new estimates using modern exploration methods.
Since 2003 the Government of Uganda has carried out detailed surface geothermal on three
major areas namely Katwe, Buranga and Kibiro located in Kasese, Bundibugyo and Hoima
districts respectively. The objective of the study is to develop geothermal energy to complement
hydro and other sources of power to meet the energy demand of rural areas in sound
environment.
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF MINERAL RESOURCES PROJECT
In order to address the technical constraints in the sector, the Government of Uganda has
obtained two credits from the World Bank and the Nordic Development Fund, and a grant
from the African Development Bank to finance a five-year project that commenced in August
2004. The Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project (SMMRP) aims to revamp
the mineral sector and ensure that Uganda is Africa’s next mining destination. The specific
objectives are:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Acquiring extensive geoscientific data;
Developing information on mineral resources potential;
Building institutional capacity
Carrying out institutional and regulatory reforms;
Improving small-scale and artisanal mining; and
Establishing environment and social capacity for the sector.
To achieve these objectives of SMMRP, a number of project activities are ongoing with several
others at different stages of the procurement process.
Acquisition of extensive geoscientific data and development of information will largely
comprise airborne geophysical surveys, geological mapping, geochemical surveys and mineral
20

esource assessments. Airborne geophysical surveys, one of the initial activities commenced in
December 2006 and cover approximately 80% of the land surface.
AVAILABLE DATA SETS
Geological maps are available at 1: 50,000, 1: 100,000 and 1: 250,000 scales. Published reports,
with maps of some sheets are available, other unpublished reports and maps at smaller scales
are also available at the documentation center of the department for reference or consultation.
Geophysical and geochemical survey data of selected areas are also available at the Department.
Principal documents on sector policy, legislation and annual reports can be accessed from
http://www.energyandminerals.go.ug, while Uganda Opportunities for Mining Investment
brochure is accessible online via http://www.ugandamining.com.
CONTACT
The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development
P. O. Box 7270, Kampala, Uganda.
Tel : +256-414-234733
Fax : +256-414-234732
Email: psmemd@energy.go.ug
The Commissioner
Department of Geological Survey and Mines
P. O. Box 9, Entebbe, Uganda
Tel: +256-414-320559, 312-262902
Fax : +256-414-320346
Email: minerals@infocom.co.ug
call for contributions
Research articles (including Photos), Tips, Views and Comments
are welcome to the next
SEAMIC Newsletter Volume 10, Number 2
Deadline for the submission of your manuscript is
1 st May 2008
For further Information contact: Geo-information Department
SEAMIC, P.O. Box 9573, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: 255 22 2650321/47, Fax: 255 22 2650319
e-mail: mesfin@seamic.org
21

News
KENYA - THE NEW SEAMIC MEMBER STATE
Kenya had been actively utilising SEAMIC services prior being a member of
the institution. Due to the proximity of geological laboratory and
geoinformation processing facilities available at SEAMIC, exploration
companies operating in Kenya were utilising the services of the Centre.
SEAMIC gemmology courses were also the other areas where Kenyan
participation was highly visible in the past years.
The formal participation of the Mines and Geological Department of Kenya
in SEAMIC activities commenced with the implementation of the GIS Africa
project at the Centre in which Kenyan and other SEAMIC member states
professionals were involved in the establishment of the network and
development of harmonised regional geological information for the Eastern
Africa sub-region.
After Kenya became a member of SEAMIC in 2006, the participation and
utilisation of the Centre’s services has significantly increased with the Mines
and Geology Department of Kenya being the major user of the performance
contract arrangement, which allows the member states to receive services
worth a value of 40% of their annual contribution. Between July and December
2007 three employees of the Mines and Geology Department of Kenya were
trained at SEAMIC in the training courses of Principles and Applications of
Remote Sensing, Analysis of Gold & Precious metals, and in Basic Pottery and
Ceramic Technology.
SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
The 27 th Governing Council meeting which was held in Maputo,
Mozambique in May 2007 approved the implementation of the shareholders
agreement so as to allow the participation of the private sector in the activities
of the Centre. This move is intended to expand the resource base of the
Centre and enable it to operate in a more business like manner. The resources
to be generated through this mechanism will help the Centre to provide its
services to the member countries more independently, diversified and ensure
sustainability of SEAMIC.
22

The Centre has contacted several public, private and non-governmental
organisations introducing the shareholding concept and inviting them to
establish partnership with SEAMIC in their areas of business/development
interest for mutual benefit and for the sustainable development of the mineral
sector in Africa.
GEM SAFARI
The Mineralogy, Petrology and
Gemmology Section realised one of its
long time planned new services of Gem
Safari in 2007. The Gem Safari is a new
service planned in collaboration with Mr
Hubert Heldner, a Swiss Gem Cutting
expert and gemstones promoter. The first
expedition was carried out from 3 to 19
September 2007. The aim of establishing
the Gem Safari was mainly for promotion
and exposure of SEAMIC in the
international arena and at the same time to
generate income through offering
gemmology & gem cutting training and
consultancy to the gem Safari participants.
The Gem Safari participants looking for the gemstones in the
field
TRAINING
Gem cutting
Two gem cutting courses were carried out to two participants in each course
during 2 - 20 July and 26 November – 14 December 2007. The first course was
attended by a Nigerian and a Tanzanian while the second course was attended
by Tanzanian nationals.
Gemmology
Two of the regularly conducted “Introduction to Gemmology” course was
carried out during 20-24 August and 19-23 November 2007, by the
Mineralogy, Petrology and Gemmology Section. A total of eighteen
participants, among them one each from Kenya, the Netherlands and Zambia
attended while the rest were from Tanzania.
23

Mineral Processing
A training course on Mineral Processing techniques for small scale mineral
entrepreneurs was organised by the Mineral Processing and Small-Scale
Mining Section during 13 - 17 August 2007 for one participant from Uganda.
A one week training course on Analysis of gold and other precious metals,
which was conducted jointly by the Mineral Processing and Chemical and
Environmental Sections was attended by a participant from the Mines and
Geology Department of Kenya. The course was organized from 26 to 30
November 2007.
Geo-information
A course on Introduction to ArcGIS was carried out from 30 July to 3 August
2007. The training was carried out upon request of an exploration company
operating in Tanzania and was attended by two participants.
A trainee on practical session during Introduction to GIS and GIS Database Development training course,
and the course participants
24
Introduction to GIS and GIS Database Development training course was
carried out to three participants (two Tanzanians and a Mozambican) from 13
to 17 August 2007.
A course on Introduction to GIS using MapInfo was carried out during 17 –
21 September 2007. Three participants one each from Kenya, Tanzania and
Uganda attended the course.
A course on Principles of Remote Sensing was attended by three geologists
from the Department of Geology and Mines of Uganda. The training was
carried out from 8 to 12 October 2007.
Training on Introduction to Web Mapping was carried out to one cartographer
from the Department of Mines and Geology of Kenya. The training was
carried out from 26 to 30 November 2007.

Digitisation of Geological maps
A special training on digitisation of geological maps using modern GIS
technology was carried out by the head of Geo-information department to 11
professionals from the Ministry of Geology and Mines of Angola from 20
August to 28 September 2007 at the Geological Institute of Angola in Luanda,
Digitiasation of Geological maps training in Luanda
Angola. The course included the principles of GIS and its use in the
digitisation of geological maps available at the Ministry of Geology and Mines
for further processing and upgrading. The use of GIS application tools such as
MapInfo and ArcGIS were included in the training.
Introduction to Geological Mapping and Mineral Exploration
Upon the request of the Geological Survey of Malawi, the Geo-information
Department and the Mineralogy Petrology and Gemmology Section jointly
organised an eight weeks training course on Introduction to Geological
Mapping and Mineral Exploration. The course included the following:
♦ Theoretical background of mineral exploration and geological mapping
♦ Field excursion for geological mapping and sample collection
♦ Sample preparation and analysis
♦ Digital data capture and compilation
♦ GIS and remote sensing for geological mapping
♦ Production of geological maps using GIS
♦ Technical report writing
The training was carried out from 1 October to 23 November 2007 at
SEAMIC with practical exercise in the field. The Geological Survey of
Tanzania participated in the training course by assigning a field geologist
during the field excursion. Three geologists of the Geological Survey of
Malawi attended the course.
25

Chemical and Environmental
Two trainees from Madini Institute, Dodoma, Tanzania, and six students from
the University of Dar es Salaam attended the regular practical laboratory
attachment, during 2 - 13 July 2007 and in August 2007 respectively.
Atomic Absorption Spectrometric training course was carried out from 3 - 25
July 2007 to one participant from Tanzania and from 6 - 10 August 2007 for
one Ugandan participant.
A training course on Analytical Techniques and Operation of Scientific
Equipment in Mineral and Rock Analysis was conducted between 20 August
and 28 September 2007 to an employee of Geological Survey and Mines
Department of Uganda.
Modern Laboratory Management Methods training was carried out to an
employee of Geological Survey and Mines Department of Uganda from 20
August to 14 September 2007.
Two employees of the Geological Survey of Tanzania were trained on Quality
Management Practices from 29 October to 9 November 2007.
VISITS
Dr. David Ovadia - Director, British Geological Survey (BGS) visited the
Centre in September, 2007 to discuss on the continuation and strengthening of
partnership between SEAMIC and BGS within the new arrangement of
Shareholders agreement, which the Centre is embarking to invite public and
private sector participation in the operations of SEAMIC.
Dr. Harry Sandström of LABTIUM Laboratory from Finland visited
SEAMIC in November, 2007 to discuss on areas of LABTIUM participation
in core business activities of SEAMIC under shareholding and/or joint venture
partnership scheme currently to be implemented at SEAMIC.
26

MEETINGS
Governing Council Meeting
The 27 th meeting of the Governing Council of SEAMIC was held on 31 st May
2007 in Maputo, Mozambique. Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique
Tanzania, Uganda and the UNECA attended the meeting. The Governing
Council meeting was preceded by the tenth meeting of the Standing
Committee of Officials, which was held from 29 to 30 May 2007.
Major decisions made by the 27 th Governing Council meeting included:
♦ Approval of the Annual Report for 2006/2007;
♦ Approval of the Auditors Report for 2005/2006;
♦
♦
Approval of the Work Programme and Budget for 2007/2008; and
Approval of the implementation of the Shareholders Agreement at
SEAMIC that allows private sector participation in the Centre with a view
of introducing business like activities, expand its capital base and ensure
sustainability of SEAMIC.
Board of Directors Meeting
The 24 th meeting of the Board of
Directors (BOD) of SEAMIC was held
on 3 – 4 December 2007 at SEAMIC in
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The meeting
was attended by Mr. Luis Antonio
(Chairman) from Angola, Mr. Antonio
Pedro (Vice Chairman) from UNECA,
Mr. Aloyce Tesha (member) from
Tanzania and the Director General of
SEAMIC (Secretary).
Major issues discussed by the meeting
Members of SEAMIC Board of Directors and the
included:
Secretariat
♦ Performance of the Centre since the
last BOD meeting;
♦ Review of the implementation of matters arising from the decisions of the
27 th Governing Council and 23 rd BOD meetings; and
♦ Consideration of the draft Strategic Business Plan of SEAMIC for the
period 2008-2013.
27

COMING EVENTS
MEETINGS
Governing Council Meeting
The 28 th Governing Council Meeting of SEAMIC will be held in May 2008 in Dar
es Salaam, Tanzania
Board of Directors Meeting
The 25 th meeting of the Board of Directors of SEAMIC will be held in Dar es Salaam
in May 2008.
TRAINING
Gemmology and Gem cutting
♦ Gem cutting: 7 - 25 January, 31 March - 18 April 2008
♦ Gemmology at member states: Angola, 14 - 22 January 2008
Mozambique, 28 January - 1 February 2008
Kenya, 4 - 8 February 2008
Uganda, 11-15 February 2008
Tanzania, 18 - 22 February 2008
♦ Gemmology: 10 - 14 March, 9 - 13 June 2008
Chemical Laboratory
♦ Modern laboratory management methods: 11 - 15 February 2008
♦ Environmental Technologies, 23 - 27 June 2008
Mineral Processing
♦ Mineral business development skills: 4 – 8 February 2008
♦ Sampling of geological materials: 14 - 18 April 2008
♦ Use of computers for the evaluation of mineral laboratory test data: 16 - 20 June
2008
Pottery and Ceramic Technology
♦ Advanced pottery/ceramic technology: 11 - 15 February, 16 - 20 June 2008
♦ Basic pottery/ceramic for beginners: 17 - 21 March, 14 - 18 April, 12 - 16 May
2008
Geo-information
♦ GIS principles and applications: 21 - 25 January 2008
♦ Geophysical and geochemical data capture and processing: 4 – 8 February 2008
♦ Geological map making using GIS: 18 - 22 February 2008
♦ GIS database development: 17 – 21 March 2008
♦ Applications of remote sensing: 14 - 18 April 2008
♦ GIS principles and applications: 12 - 16 May 2008
♦ Geophysical and geochemical data capture and processing: 9 - 13 June 2008
28

Southern and Eastern African Mineral Centre
SEAMIC
Training
• Mineral laboratory management
• Environmental analysis and Environmental
Impact Assessment studies
• Mineral testing methods
• Gemmology and gem cutting
• Geophysics, geochemistry, environmental
geology and geosciences data handling
• GIS and remote sensing applications
• Mineral exploration and geological mapping
• Resource and reserve modelling
• Sampling and preparation of geological
materials
Grading and Certification
• Gem identification, grading and certification
• Diamond grading
• Gem cutting
• Cabochon polishing
• Bead making
• Bead drilling
• Gemstone Enhancement
• Consultancy on all aspects related to lapidary
Geo-information Services
• Scanning, digitizing and plotting of maps
• GIS compilation and applications
• Regional mineral databases
• Airborne radiometric data calibration
• Geophysical surveying for underground
water and mineral exploration
Your Mineral Services Provider
Analytical services
• Sample preparation
• Wet Chemistry for whole rock analysis
• Mineral beneficiation such as mineral separation
and leaching
• XRF and XRD analysis
• Fire assay gold analysis and purification
• AAS, Graphite furnace and hydride generation
analysis
• Rock and mineral identification
• Petrological and mineralogical analysis
• ICP analysis
• Mercury Analysis
Mineral Applications
• Evaluation, product design and prototype
production
• Processing and upgrading
• Ceramic production technology
Research and Development
• Evaluation of raw materials for industrial
application
• Optimisation of mineral recovery operations
• Development of granulation system for the
beneficiation of phosphate ore
• Development of ceramic tableware, low
tension electrical insulators and fire clay
crucibles
• Development of geo-database and web
mapping
• Development of safe methods for disposal
of hazardous chemical wastes
Technical Assistance
• Integrated prospecting techniques for survey,
geological structure, remote sensing
and geophysical prospecting
• Assistance for modernization of small to
medium scale mining operations
• Investigations on environmental protection
• Geotechnical investigation
• Feasibility studies for small to medium
scale mining projects
Consultancy Services
• Industrial minerals application
• Preparation of bankable feasibility studies
for small to medium scale mining projects
• Evaluation of environmental impact
assessment studies
• GIS data base design and development
• Geo data processing and GIS system
development
• Mineral ground water exploration
• Management of mineral wealth
• Development of Mineral recovery system.

SEAMIC
southern and eastern african mineral centre
KUNDUCHI BEACH AREA
P.O.Box 9573
Dar es Salaam,Tanzania
Telephone: (255 22) 2650321/47
Fax: (255 22) 2650319
E-mail: seamic@seamic.org
Website: www.seamic.org
your mineral services provider
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