Problems facing the mining sector in East Africa

The following are Problems facing the mining sector in East Africa

Inadequate capital for the mining process which is very expensive.
Minerals are non-renewable resources and will get exhausted with time e.g. copper was exhausted at Kilembe.
Poor transport networks making mineral zones very difficult to reach.

Political instabilities especially in Uganda e.g. ADF rebels who destabilized Kasese affected investment in copper mining.
Some minerals are expensive to exploit because they are buried deep underground e.g. gold in Bushenyi.
Shortage of skilled manpower to undertake the mining activities leading to the hiring of expatriates who are very expensive.
The an inadequate market for East African minerals because they are of poor quality.
There is limited research and exploration to discover new mineral zones.
Some minerals are available in very small quantities and therefore not economically viable e.g. gold in Karamoja.
Most of the mining companies are owned by foreigners who normally take profits back to their home countries.
When the minerals are exhausted, the towns which had developed turn into ghost cities with problems of unemployment e.g. Kilembe.

Many of the towns e.g. Kakamega which grew up because of mining are faced with problems of congestion and crimes e.t.c.

Government should seek aid and grants from developed countries to widen the capital base.
Investments should be made in research and exploration to get new mineral zones.
International advertisements should be done to widen the market for local minerals.
Government should improve transport facilities in the mining areas e.g. upgrading roads from murram to tarmac.

Political instability should be encouraged to attract more foreign investors.
The government should encourage on-site mineral processing to produce high quality products.
New courses should be introduced at different learning institutions to produce enough skilled labour force.
Diversification of the economy to reduce dependence on mining.

Government should carry out market research to get new markets for East Africans minerals