Tin (Cassiterite) and Wolfram Mining in Uganda: History & Opportunities

Tin and wolfram (tungsten) hold a distinguished place in Uganda's mining history. For three decades in the mid-twentieth century, these two minerals were among the country's most important export commodities, powering a thriving mining industry that employed thousands and contributed significantly to the national economy. The industry's subsequent decline — driven by falling commodity prices, political upheaval, and under-investment — left behind a legacy of abandoned mines, residual infrastructure, and vast mineral deposits that remain substantially untapped.

Today, the global dynamics have shifted dramatically in favour of these metals. Tin is indispensable to the electronics industry, while tungsten's unique properties make it critical for aerospace, defence, manufacturing, and energy applications. With growing international demand, tightening supply chains, and increasing emphasis on diversified sourcing away from dominant producers, Uganda's tin and wolfram deposits represent a genuine opportunity for responsible mining investment.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of tin and wolfram mining in Uganda — from the historical heyday through the decline and into the current revival — and examines the opportunities, challenges, and requirements for modern development of these resources.

A Brief History of Tin and Wolfram Mining in Uganda

The Early Years (1920s–1940s)

Tin (in the form of the mineral cassiterite) and wolfram (wolframite and scheelite) were first identified in Uganda during the early colonial geological surveys of the 1920s. The deposits were concentrated in the western highlands, particularly in the Rwenzori Mountains region and the Kigezi area (now Kabale and Kisoro districts), where geological conditions had concentrated these heavy minerals in pegmatite veins, greisen zones, and alluvial placer deposits.

Small-scale mining began in the 1920s and expanded rapidly during the 1930s and 1940s, driven by growing industrial demand. The Second World War, in particular, created enormous demand for tungsten — essential for armour-piercing ammunition, machine tools, and high-temperature alloys — and for tin, used in food preservation, soldering, and anti-corrosion coatings. Uganda became a significant supplier to the Allied war effort.

The Golden Age (1950s–1960s)

The 1950s and 1960s marked the peak of Uganda's tin-wolfram mining industry. Several medium-scale mining operations were active, employing modern (for the era) mining and processing methods including underground mining of pegmatite veins, open-cast mining of eluvial and alluvial deposits, gravity concentration using jigs, shaking tables, and sluice boxes, and magnetic separation to separate wolframite from cassiterite.

Key mining areas during this period included:

Mwerusandu: A major tin-wolfram mining centre in the Rwenzori foothills, where pegmatite veins hosted rich concentrations of cassiterite and wolframite
Bjordal Mine (Nyamuliro): One of the largest and most productive operations, located in Kisoro district
Kikagati: A significant mining area near the Tanzanian border
Rwenzori region: Multiple operations across the foothills and valleys of the Rwenzori Mountains

At its peak, Uganda's tin-wolfram industry was a major employer and foreign exchange earner. The country was among Africa's notable tin producers, and its wolfram output was internationally significant.

Decline (1970s–1990s)

The decline of Uganda's tin-wolfram mining industry was driven by multiple converging factors:

Political instability: The Idi Amin regime (1971–1979) and the subsequent period of civil conflict devastated Uganda's formal economy, including the mining sector. Foreign mining companies departed, equipment was abandoned or looted, and institutional capacity collapsed.
Falling commodity prices: The collapse of the International Tin Council in 1985 caused tin prices to plummet, rendering many operations uneconomic worldwide.
Under-investment: Decades of political and economic turmoil meant that no significant investment was made in exploration, mine development, or processing infrastructure.
Artisanal reversion: As formal mining operations closed, artisanal miners moved in, extracting minerals using basic methods with low recovery rates and significant environmental impact.

By the 1990s, Uganda's once-thriving tin-wolfram industry had been reduced to scattered artisanal operations producing modest quantities of concentrate.

Modern Revival (2000s–Present)

The stabilisation of Uganda's political and economic environment from the late 1980s onward, combined with the resurgence of global commodity prices in the 2000s, has sparked renewed interest in the country's tin and wolfram deposits. Several developments characterise this revival:

Modern exploration programmes using geophysical surveys, geochemical sampling, and drilling have confirmed and expanded the known resource base
New mining companies — both Ugandan and international — have acquired exploration and mining licences in historical tin-wolfram districts
The government has updated the regulatory framework to attract responsible investment while ensuring national benefit
International demand for conflict-free tin and tungsten has created premium market opportunities for traceable Ugandan production

Key Deposit Locations

Uganda's tin and wolfram deposits are concentrated in specific geological settings, primarily associated with late Precambrian granitic intrusions and their related pegmatite and hydrothermal vein systems.

Rwenzori Region

The Rwenzori Mountains and their foothills — spanning Kasese, Bundibugyo, and Ntoroko districts — host some of Uganda's most significant tin-wolfram mineralisation. The deposits occur in pegmatite veins and greisen zones associated with granitic intrusions that penetrated the Precambrian basement rocks. Both cassiterite and wolframite are present, often in the same vein systems, along with accessory minerals including columbite-tantalite (coltan), beryl, and bismuth.

The alluvial gravels in the river valleys draining the Rwenzori Mountains also contain placer tin and wolfram deposits derived from the erosion of primary vein mineralisation. These alluvial deposits were the focus of much of the historical mining activity and remain targets for modern operations.

Southwestern Uganda (Kigezi)

The Kigezi highlands — encompassing Kabale, Kisoro, and Kanungu districts — represent another major tin-wolfram province. The geological setting is similar to the Rwenzori region, with cassiterite and wolframite hosted in pegmatite veins and associated alluvial deposits. The Bjordal Mine near Nyamuliro was one of the most productive operations in this area.

Other Occurrences

Tin and wolfram mineralisation has also been recorded in other parts of Uganda, including:

Mubende district: Cassiterite occurrences associated with granitic intrusions
Ntungamo and Bushenyi districts: Scattered vein-type mineralisation
Moroto (Karamoja): Minor tin occurrences

For a broader overview of Uganda's mineral endowment, see our article on minerals found in Uganda.

Current Production and Market Dynamics

Global Tin Market

The global tin market is characterised by:

Concentrated production: China, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Peru dominate global tin production. Supply concentration creates vulnerability to disruptions.
Steady demand growth: Tin consumption is driven primarily by soldering applications in the electronics industry (approximately 50% of global demand), followed by tinplate for food packaging, chemicals, and other industrial uses.
New demand drivers: Emerging applications in lead-free solders, lithium-ion batteries (tin-based anodes), and photovoltaics are expected to increase demand in coming years.
Supply constraints: Declining grades at existing mines, environmental restrictions in major producing countries, and the depletion of easily accessible deposits are constraining supply growth.

Tin prices have been volatile but have generally trended upward over the past decade, reflecting tightening supply-demand fundamentals. This price environment makes previously sub-economic deposits — including many in Uganda — potentially viable.

Global Tungsten Market

Tungsten is classified as a critical mineral by the United States, European Union, and other major economies due to:

Extreme supply concentration: China produces approximately 80% of the world's tungsten, creating significant supply chain vulnerability for Western economies.
Unique properties: Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal, exceptional hardness, and excellent density. These properties make it irreplaceable in applications including cemented carbide cutting tools, high-speed steels, armour-piercing ammunition, aerospace components, and electrical contacts.
Strategic importance: Tungsten's role in defence and advanced manufacturing makes it a strategic mineral for major economies.
Diversification imperative: Governments and manufacturers are actively seeking non-Chinese sources of tungsten, creating premium opportunities for producers in politically stable jurisdictions.

Uganda's Position

Uganda currently produces modest quantities of tin and wolfram concentrate, primarily from artisanal and small-scale mining operations. Official production statistics may understate actual output due to informal and sometimes illegal cross-border trade. However, the country's geological potential is significant, and several companies are advancing projects toward formal medium-scale production.

Uganda's advantages as a tin-wolfram producer include:

Proven geological prospectivity with historical production records
A regulatory framework that supports responsible mining investment
Geographic proximity to East African export infrastructure (Mombasa port)
Lower geopolitical risk compared to major producing countries such as Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Potential for conflict-free certification under international traceability standards

Conflict Mineral Traceability

Tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (collectively known as 3TG minerals) are classified as potential conflict minerals under international regulatory frameworks, most notably the US Dodd-Frank Act (Section 1502) and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation. These regulations require companies to exercise due diligence on their mineral supply chains to ensure that the minerals they use do not finance armed conflict or human rights abuses.

For Uganda's tin and wolfram sector, conflict mineral compliance is both a challenge and an opportunity:

The Challenge

Uganda shares borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been the primary focus of conflict mineral regulations. There is a risk — and historical evidence — of conflict-affected minerals from the DRC being smuggled through Uganda.
Artisanal mining operations, which produce most of Uganda's current tin and wolfram output, are difficult to monitor and trace.
Establishing robust chain-of-custody systems requires investment in tagging, documentation, and audit systems.

The Opportunity

Companies and countries that can demonstrate conflict-free, traceable supply chains command premium prices and preferential access to international markets.
International organisations (ITSCI, RMI) have established traceability programmes that operate in Uganda, providing a framework for compliant production.
Investors in responsible mining projects can differentiate their product and access sustainability-conscious buyers.
Uganda's government has committed to supporting conflict-free mineral trade through regulatory measures and participation in regional initiatives (ICGLR).

Opportunities for Investment

The convergence of favourable market conditions, proven geological potential, and an evolving regulatory environment creates compelling opportunities for investment in Uganda's tin and wolfram sector:

Brownfield exploration: Revisiting historical mining areas with modern exploration techniques — including detailed geological mapping, geochemical sampling, ground geophysics, and targeted drilling — can define resources that were unknown to or uneconomic for earlier operators.
Small to medium-scale mining: Projects designed for efficient, mechanised small to medium-scale production (50–500 tonnes of concentrate per month) can be economically attractive with relatively modest capital investment.
Processing and value addition: Opportunities exist to establish domestic processing facilities — concentrators, smelters, or refineries — that add value to raw mineral production and capture a larger share of the value chain.
Supply chain integration: Companies that can establish traceable, conflict-free supply chains from mine to market — including ITSCI tagging and responsible sourcing certification — can access premium markets and long-term offtake agreements.
Artisanal mining formalisation: Working with artisanal miners to formalise operations, improve techniques, and integrate them into compliant supply chains represents both a social responsibility and a business opportunity.

For companies considering investment in Uganda's tin and wolfram sector, a thorough mineral exploration programme is the essential first step in de-risking the opportunity and building the geological foundation for project development. ALOM Mining & Geohydro Services brings extensive experience in mineral exploration across Uganda's tin-wolfram provinces, including geological mapping, geochemical sampling, geophysical surveys, and project evaluation.

Challenges to Address

Despite the opportunities, investors should be aware of several challenges:

Infrastructure: Many tin-wolfram deposits are located in remote, mountainous areas with limited road access, power supply, and telecommunications. Infrastructure investment may be required as part of project development.
Artisanal mining encroachment: Licence areas often contain active artisanal mining operations. Managing the transition from artisanal to formal mining requires sensitive community engagement and clear benefit-sharing arrangements.
Environmental management: Historical mining sites may have legacy environmental issues (contaminated land, unstable tailings). New operations must meet modern environmental standards, including proper waste management and mine closure planning.
Skills availability: Qualified mining engineers, geologists, and processing specialists are in limited supply in Uganda. Companies may need to invest in training or recruit internationally.
Cross-border smuggling: The proximity of Uganda's tin-wolfram deposits to the DRC border creates ongoing challenges related to mineral smuggling and traceability.

Conclusion

Uganda's tin and wolfram mining sector is at a pivotal moment. The historical legacy demonstrates that the geology is proven and productive. The global market dynamics — rising demand, concentrated supply, and strategic importance — create a favourable price and policy environment. And Uganda's improving regulatory framework and commitment to responsible mining provide a foundation for sustainable development.

For investors and mining companies willing to commit to professional exploration, responsible operations, and supply chain transparency, Uganda's tin and wolfram deposits offer a genuine path to value creation. The key is to approach these opportunities with rigorous technical assessment, thorough due diligence, and a commitment to working constructively with communities and regulators.

ALOM Mining & Geohydro Services provides comprehensive exploration and project evaluation services for tin, wolfram, and other mineral commodities across Uganda. Contact our team to discuss how we can support your project from initial reconnaissance through to feasibility and development.