Uganda sets up first-ever tin refining plant
Uganda is working on establishing a first-ever tin refining plant. This forms part of efforts to add domestic value to its minerals.
Projected to have a refining capacity of over 1000 tonnes annually, the plant will be located in the southwestern region.
The project is spearheaded by Uganda-based mining and mineral trading company Woodcross Resources and is estimated to be commissioned in May 2024.
"We are preparing to launch our very first tin processing facility. They will be refining tin to over 99% in terms of its purity,” Irene Bateebe, a top official of the energy and mineral development ministry was quoted by Reuters on April 3.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni hopes that the move will maximise the profits of exports to the country, where many gold refineries are in operation, and Chinese-backed Sunbird Resources was just granted a license to mine limestone for cement manufacturing.
