Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for proposed Mining in Retention License RL00007 in Mayuge District

The Makuutu Rare Earths Project is an ionic adsorption clay (IAC) hosted rare earth element (REE) deposit being developed in three districts of Bugweri, Bugiri and Mayuge in eastern Uganda. It includes six licences including three Retention Licences (RL00007, RL1693 and RL00234) and three Exploration Licences (EL00147, EL00148 and EL00257), covering a combined area of about 298km². The Developer is Rwenzori Rare Metals (RRM). The Project was approved by NEMA for implementation in October 2022 but only for mining in Retention License RL1693.

The Developer has undertaken exploration activities and has confirmed significant REE resources in Retention License RL00007 in Mayuge district that are important for commercial viability of the Makuutu project, and it is therefore targeted for mining. The Developer therefore wishes to apply for a mining license (i.e., to convert RL00007 into a mining license ML00007).