Government gets land for iron ore mining in Rubanda

By Ismael Kasooha

RUBANDA

The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja last week handed over 60 acres of land to Devki Mills Limited to establish an iron ore mining project in Rubanda District.

Mr. Narendra Raval, the Chairman of Devki Group of Companies, received the land, which is part of the 620 acres required to undertake large-scale mining activities in the area.

The Prime Minister assured residents of Mufumba village in Butare-Katojo Town, where the mining activities will take place, that the iron ore mined from the area would be processed into steel products for the domestic and regional markets.

“This project has come to transform your area, and I appeal to you to embrace it and offer the necessary support to the investor,” Rt. Hon. Nabbanja said. “As you are aware, H.E. the President stopped the exportation of raw minerals. This project is going to add value to our iron ore and create jobs and other economic opportunities.”

The 60 acres of land were acquired from residents by the Government on behalf of the investor. The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to address any outstanding compensation claims from the landowners to facilitate the commencement of mining operations.

She also directed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to issue Devki Mills with a mining licence, as the company now has access to the mining area.

Mr. Raval said the project would create 15,000 jobs for people in Rubanda and Tororo, where the company already has a steel factory.

The Rubanda District Chairperson, Stephen Kasyaba, welcomed the project and said the local government had already secured additional land for the investor to establish a factory.