TITLE:
The Prospects of Uganda’s Iron Ore Deposits in Developing the Iron and Steel Industry
AUTHORS:
Muwanguzi J. B. Abraham, Rukezo Gift, Sebukeera Hennery, Guloba Asuman, Ajidiru Rita, Dumba Dexter, Muvawala Joseph
KEYWORDS:
Mineralization, Iron Ore, Iron, Steel, Geology, NPA, Uganda
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.8 No.4,
July
30,
2020
ABSTRACT: Uganda aspires to exploit
its abundant iron ore resources to supply the required raw material for
developing its iron and steel industry across all the phases of the value
chain. The country imports USD 369 million worth of iron and steel products
annually, 60% of which are raw
materials for the
steel processing plants. The National Planning Authority, the government
planning agency, undertook a study to assess the possibility of using the iron
ore deposits available in the country, as a source of supply for iron and steel
production. In the study, available geological literature was collected from
various sources and analysed in order to understand the mode of iron ore
mineralization in Uganda, particularly, that in the South West. A field
excursion to the deposits was conducted in order to ground truth the
information obtained from literature research; carry out a detailed
reconnaissance study so as to benchmark the likely scenarios required in the
development of the iron and steel value chain; and establish the likely mining
and processing requirements of the deposits. The
reconnaissance survey confirmed the existence of hematite deposits that
visually show characteristics of high-quality iron ore (55% - 68% Fe) suitable for iron
production. From
surficial investigations, the deposits are mainly comprised of thin beds of
mineralisation. The deposits occur in the form of massive hematite, which is
amenable to mining and direct feed to the ore processing plants, and
specularite hematite (a metamorphic platy variety), which normally requires
mineral processing for amenability to reduction processes. From the analysis,
the country has sufficient deposits of a high grade that can support a steel
industry, though more detailed quantifications and characterisations need to be prioritised by
the government.