Government moves to revamp Kilembe mines ahead of investor takeover – The Kampala Report

Kilembe Mines Limited-KML has received Three billion Shillings from the government for the rehabilitation of major infrastructure.

The money will be used to rehabilitate major roads leading to the mines and the offices, renovate an office block, work on a transmission line to Kilembe Secondary School and procurement of pumps for underground water.

Edson Kambere the caretaker Chief Executive Officer of Kilembe Mines Limited told URN that the money is meant to bring KML back to normalcy and if an investor is procured, he can find the company in a functioning state.

He says in the current position, the management is tasked with the care and maintenance of the existing infrastructure.

Kambere who is also the company’s chief mechanical engineer says they are conducting some minimal businesses including the generation of power for sale, and an open mechanical workshop, among others to keep the company running.

Kilembe Mines located on the feet of Rwenzori mountains was a major source of revenue for Uganda in the 1960s through 1970s.

However, the mines suffered a setback in 1977 when Idi Amin Dada, then president of Uganda, ordered Canadian investors to leave the mines in the hands of Ugandans.

Amin’s nationalisation policy was also followed by a steep fall in the global prices of copper ore and high inflation hence leading to the closure of the mines in 1978.

In 2020, floods destroyed key KML structures including the tailings, Mubuku I hydropower plant, the administration block and workshops.