Advancing Uganda’s Rare Earth Potential

Located in eastern Uganda across Bugiri, Iganga and Mayuge, the Makuutu Rare Earth Project represents a strategic opportunity to develop Uganda’s potential in rare earth elements and participate in emerging critical-mineral value chains.

The project is being developed through Rwenzori Rare Metals Limited, with Uganda National Mining Company participating as a State commercial partner. The Makuutu deposit comprises ionic adsorption clay containing a range of rare earth elements, including magnet and heavy rare earths with applications in advanced technologies and modern industrial systems.

From Resource to Processing

Unlike many hard-rock rare earth deposits, Makuutu is an ionic adsorption clay deposit. This geological characteristic supports a processing approach focused on extracting rare earth elements from clay mineralisation and producing a mixed rare earth carbonate intermediate product.

A demonstration processing plant was established at the Makuutu site to test and validate the proposed processing approach. The facility includes technical processing equipment and supporting infrastructure for metallurgical testing, material handling and process optimisation.

In March 2024, the demonstration plant achieved first production of Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC), providing an important technical milestone and samples for further evaluation by potential downstream partners.

A Strategic Critical Minerals Opportunity

Rare earth elements are important inputs in technologies including permanent magnets, electric mobility, renewable energy systems, electronics and other advanced industrial applications.

Makuutu therefore provides an opportunity for Uganda to participate in an increasingly important global mineral value chain while developing domestic technical capability and strengthening opportunities for investment, partnerships and value addition.

UNMC’s Strategic Role

UNMC participates in Makuutu as part of its broader role in developing Uganda’s strategic mineral interests.

Through State participation, investment and strategic partnerships, UNMC seeks to support the transition of promising mineral resources from exploration and technical evaluation towards commercially viable productive assets.

The project also demonstrates the importance of combining Uganda’s mineral resources with technology, investment, technical expertise and international market access.

From Rare Earth Resources to Economic Value

Makuutu illustrates the potential to move beyond identification of mineral resources towards processing, value creation and participation in strategic global supply chains.

As the project advances, its development has the potential to support investment, specialised employment, technical skills, local enterprise participation and greater value from Uganda’s mineral resources.

Building Uganda’s Critical Mineral Future

Makuutu forms part of UNMC’s growing portfolio of strategic mineral opportunities and reflects the Company’s ambition to help transform Uganda’s mineral endowment into productive assets, competitive value chains and sustainable economic value.

From rare earth resources to strategic materials. From mineral potential to productive value.