Kilembe copper mines sit on the foothills of the ice-capped Rwenzori Mountains in Kilembe, a suburb of Kasese town in the western region of Uganda. This is Uganda’s largest copper mine with estimated deposits of copper in excess of 4 million tons and an undetermined amount of cobalt ore. In addition, there are approximately 2,800 acres (1,100 ha), of unexplored acreage at the site, of which 1.98% is estimated to be pure copper and 0.17% cobalt.
Origin of Kilembe Copper Mines
In the early 1950s, two Canadian mining companies, Frosbisher Limited and Ventures Limited, formed a joint venture, named Kilembe Mines Limited (KML), whose objective was to mine copper from under the Rwenzori Mountains near Kasese. KML built and operated a copper smelter in Jinja and maintained offices in Kampala. Other assets include a housing estate for staff in Kasese and the 5MW Mubuku I Power Station beneath the Rwenzori Mountains.
During the independence year of 1962, Kilembe Mines Limited was acquired by Falconbridge of Africa, who sold it to the Government of Uganda in 1975. Copper extraction ceased in 1982 due to dilapidated equipment, high inflation and insecurity.
Later in 2013, after nearly 30 years of dormancy and after several failed attempts to privatize the mine, a consortium led by Tibet-Hima Mining Company Limited, won the competitive bid to manage, rehabilitate and operate Kilembe Mines Limited for 25 years from 2013 until 2038. This was when the government decided to redevelop Kilembe Mines, which redevelopment would include further mineral exploration to add to the known reserve base.
With the increase in demand for copper worldwide, Uganda is planning to invite bids to restart its Kilembe copper mines which have been on care and maintenance for the best part of 40 years. This came after a deal with a Chinese-led group collapsed more than two years ago.
How To Reach To Kilembe Copper Mines
Kilembe copper mines are found in southwestern Uganda which is approximately 380 kilometres by road from Kampala, the country’s capital city. By air, you can fly from Entebbe airport to Kasese airstrip in about 1 hour and a half. It’s less than one drive from Kasese airstrip to Kilembe opper mines.
Visitors to Kilembe mines also visit different attractions around and engage in different tourist activities. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, visitors can engage in a wildlife game drive, a boat safari on the famous Kazinga channel and chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. In Kibale National Park, visitors can take part in chimpanzee habituation tour and a guided nature walk around the famous Bigodi wetland. You can also choose to hike Rwenzori Mountains.