Uganda: Euro Gold Kakoka Mining Agreement Secures Artisanal License

• Euro Gold Refinery and Kakoka Artisanal Miners Association signed an MoU on August 11 to formalize gold production in Uganda's Abim District.
• The agreement includes Euro Gold's support for securing an artisanal gold mining licence and developing infrastructure for Kakoka miners.
• This partnership aligns with the Ugandan government's goal to integrate artisanal miners into the formal economy, improve conditions, and enhance gold traceability.
• Euro Gold Refinery is expanding its network of artisanal mining partnerships across Uganda and was commissioned in July 2025.
• The refinery secured a contract with the Bank of Uganda in April 2026 to supply gold for national reserves, supporting domestic processing and reserve diversification.

This strategic alliance aligns with the Ugandan government's objectives to integrate more artisanal and small-scale miners into the formal economy, thereby improving working conditions and strengthening the traceability of gold originating from Uganda.

Euro Gold Refinery has entered into a significant partnership with the Kakoka Artisanal Miners Association, located in Abim District, Uganda, aimed at bolstering licensed gold production and facilitating access to formal markets. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 11 at the refinery's headquarters in Kamwokya, Kampala, underscores Uganda's broader initiative to enhance oversight within its artisanal mining sector. The agreement outlines provisions for technical assistance, the development of essential mining infrastructure, the promotion of responsible mining practices, and the encouragement of local value addition within the gold supply chain.

Under the terms of this Uganda Euro Gold Kakoka mining agreement, Euro Gold Refinery has already played a crucial role in assisting the Kakoka association to secure an artisanal gold mining licence. Furthermore, the refinery is committed to supporting the construction and improvement of infrastructure at the association's mining site. This strategic alliance aligns with the Ugandan government's objectives to integrate more artisanal and small-scale miners into the formal economy, thereby improving working conditions and strengthening the traceability of gold originating from Uganda. The signing ceremony saw the attendance of key figures, including members of the Kakoka executive board and Euro Gold Refinery director Benard Feni.

Denis, the Executive Director of Kakoka, expressed strong approval for the partnership, highlighting that the refinery's support in obtaining a mining licence and developing site infrastructure would be instrumental in safeguarding miners from exploitation, enhancing safety protocols, and ultimately increasing their earnings. Following the agreement, the State Minister for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, who is a vocal advocate for the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining, visited the mining site. This visit further emphasized the government's commitment to these formalization efforts.

The Euro Gold Refinery Kakoka MoU is a comprehensive framework designed to elevate mining standards. It explicitly commits both Euro Gold Refinery and the Kakoka Artisanal Miners Association to improving existing mining practices, providing ongoing technical assistance, and actively supporting the local processing of gold. For miners currently operating outside established regulatory frameworks, obtaining a formal licence offers a clear pathway to recognized markets and significantly greater legal certainty. However, this formalization also necessitates continuous investment in modern equipment, adherence to occupational safety standards, robust environmental management, and strict compliance with all relevant mining regulations.

This initiative is part of a larger trend towards responsible mining Uganda, aiming to ensure that the economic benefits of gold extraction are realized sustainably and ethically. Euro Gold Refinery's engagement with Kakoka is not an isolated incident; it forms part of an expanding network of partnerships with artisanal mining communities across various regions of Uganda. The refinery currently collaborates with producers in areas such as Busia, Mubende, Buhweju, Kassanda, West Nile, and Karamoja, effectively linking these local operations to refining capabilities and formal market channels. This extensive network underscores the refinery's commitment to integrating local producers into a more structured and regulated gold industry.

Euro Gold Refinery is actively pursuing a more prominent role within Uganda's gold industry, particularly as the government champions domestic processing over the traditional reliance on exporting unrefined minerals. The refinery, which was commissioned in July 2025, is strategically positioned to support this national objective. A significant step in this direction was an agreement with the Bank of Uganda under the Uganda Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

In April 2026, the central bank finalized contracts with both Euro Gold Refinery and Feldstein Trading Limited for the supply of gold intended for the nation's reserves. Benard Feni, director of Euro Gold, confirmed that the refinery secured this crucial contract through a highly competitive bidding process, outperforming various international companies. This success highlights the refinery's capacity and competitiveness on a global scale. The central bank's program is designed with dual objectives: to diversify Uganda's national reserve assets and to provide substantial support for domestic gold processing initiatives, thereby fostering local economic growth and value addition. Furthermore, Euro Gold Refinery proudly reports that over 70% of its workforce comprises Ugandans who have received specialized training in gold refining, emphasizing its commitment to local employment and skill development.

This development signals increased regulatory formalisation and oversight in Uganda's artisanal gold mining sector, requiring legal and compliance teams to ensure clients adhere to new licensing requirements, environmental standards, and responsible sourcing practices. It also highlights opportunities and risks associated with the government's push for domestic value addition and formal market integration.

Source: Original reporting via Euro Gold Refinery