Revitalising Uganda’s Historic Copper and Cobalt Asset

Located in Kasese District, Kilembe Mines is one of Uganda’s historic mining assets, with known copper and cobalt resources and significant existing mining infrastructure. Production at the mine ceased in 1982, creating the need for a comprehensive redevelopment of the asset.

In March 2025, Government entered into a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement with Sarrai Group Limited and Nile Fibreboard Limited for the redevelopment of Kilembe Mines, with UNMC participating as the State commercial partner. The physical assets were subsequently handed over in May 2025, marking the transition towards redevelopment and renewed production.

The redevelopment is focused on copper and cobalt production, processing and value addition, with the potential to create employment, strengthen local supply chains and support wider industrial development.

For UNMC, Kilembe represents strategic State participation in the revival of a major mineral asset and an opportunity to convert Uganda’s mineral resources into productive assets and greater economic value.

From a historic mining legacy to a renewed copper and cobalt operation, Kilembe is entering a new chapter in Uganda’s mineral development.