Equity Bank ready to help Ugandans promote mercury-free mining practices

What the report says

Stakeholders meeting in Kampala has focused on one of Uganda’s main obstacles to mercury-free gold mining: access to affordable finance. The discussion took place at the planetGOLD Uganda Fourth Annual Stakeholders Meeting, where government officials, development partners, financiers and mining-sector representatives reviewed how to support artisanal and small-scale miners in adopting safer practices.

The Independent Uganda reported that the sector supports an estimated 70,000 miners, but many still depend on mercury for gold processing because cleaner technologies, equipment and business improvements can be too expensive. Participants said the financing gap is slowing the transition even though mercury-free methods are available. The meeting also highlighted health and environmental concerns tied to mercury exposure, including risks to workers and contamination of water and ecosystems.

Equity Bank’s Head of Micro Business, Bob Paul Lusembo, said support for miners should extend beyond standard lending to include financial literacy, equipment purchase and formalization of businesses. A representative of the National Environment Management Authority, Dr John Ekure, urged stakeholders to put health and safety ahead of short-term economic gain. Oxfam Uganda’s Magara Siraje also argued that better access to finance and technical support could help responsible mining contribute more to exports and livelihoods.

The report said participants called for stronger cooperation among government, banks, development partners and mining communities to speed up the move toward mercury-free mining while protecting jobs and the environment.