MINERAL POTENTIAL OF KARAMOJA
Karamoja is endowed with both metallic and industrial minerals due to the
diversity of its geology. Karamoja region is underlain by one of the oldest
group of rocks called the granulite facies. These and others host numerous
minerals occurrences. Some of the minerals have a history of prospection and
mining. Others are unexplored but indicated. There is need to undertake
assessment of these occurrences to ascertain whether they occur in sufficient
quantity and adequate grade to warrant mining economically.
Metallic minerals
Gold occurrences are reported at Kabong, Kopoth, Loyoro-Lopedo, Kalapata,
Kathile, Mamoru, Kangapeth, Morulem, Sokodu, Kotome, Nakapel, Kanguoth,
Lemonge, Nakapel, Loith, Makapel,-Kekui, Loithsolokek, Chepkart (KaritaNakapiripirit) etc. Gold is also reported to be mined at Moruangaber,
Kanyimpa, near Acherer and around Nakoit Bridge in Nabilatuk Sub-County.
Galena is reported at Namalu Mountain, Namalu sub-county, near Nakasan
Seed Secondary School.
Chromite and platinum metal occurrences are reported at Lolung-Nakiloro
in Moroto District.
Beryl (gem varieties, Lolekek, Napak, Toror), barites (Lolachat, River),
Corrundum,
Asbestos,
Graphite,
talc,
copper (Bbobong, Namoinoi),
radioactive minerals (Ape Kale, Kalere river, Kamacharkol, Lokapa)
Garnets ,
Zircon (Near Moroto and Kalere river),
Titanium (Kalere river, ), Pyrochlore (Moruangoberu-Napak, Lolekek and
Toror),
Magnesite (Lolung and Lolukei),
mica,
quartz,
opal,
silver (Bobong),
Zinc (Bobong, Toror),
Magnetite (Lolekek),
Vanadium (Loleke and Moruangoberu-Napak),
Molybdenum (Napak),
Lead (Toror),
REE (Toror, Lolekek, Napak),
Zirconium,
Barium (Toror and Theno),
potassium (Toror),
florite (Toror).
Industrial Minerals
Marbles stretch from the Kenyan border at Nakimet to as far as Amudat in
southern Moroto. They are currently being extracted for cement manufacturing
by Tororo Cement Ltd. Artisans at Nabilatuk mine several minerals which
included black tourmaline, amethyst, quartz, and gold. Black tourmaline is
reported to be mined at Moruakimat, Nabilatuk Sub-County. Gemstones are
reported to be mined at Amuda, Nabilatuk sub-county. Others industrial
minerals include hard rocks which could be used as aggregates or dimension
stones, sands and gravels in river valleys,