Uganda’s State Minister for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, visiting the siteA Chinese-backed gold mining project in Uganda’s Busia District is drawing attention for how it works with local communities. The model stands out.Runjin Mining Holdings operates in Tiira Town Council in partnership with the Tiira Landlords and Artisanal Miners Association. Local landowners are not just neighbours to the project. They are partners in it.The revenue-sharing terms the company offers reflect that. Johny Sasirwe, Strategic Ugandan Partner at Runjin Mining Holdings, explained the difference compared to Western mining investors.“The Canadians want, for a mine like this, for you to take like 2%, but for Runjin Mining Holdings, you can negotiate with them for up to 30 or 40%. So, they are easy to work with because they are negotiating very nicely,” said Johny Sasirwe, Strategic Ugandan Partner, Runjin Mining Holdings.The project currently employs more than 60 Ugandans. That number is expected to more than triple once full production begins.Uganda’s State Minister for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, visited the site and said the government would issue a mining licence within two months.“This has demonstrated quite a potential investment that we should support. I have committed that there has been a lag in licensing. We are undergoing a review of the process at ministerial level and in a period of two months, we should be able to issue a proper license,” said Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, State Minister for Minerals, Uganda.Uganda’s State Minister for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro (C), with the Chinese investorsRunjin’s approach is built on the idea that mining should benefit the people closest to it. That is not a common standard in the sector.In Tiira, artisanal mining has long been dangerous. Open pits, unsafe tools, and child labour have all been part of the picture. Runjin’s entry is changing that. The company does not hire workers under the age of 18.Paul Angesu, Chairperson of the Tiira Landlords and Artisanal Miners Association, welcomed the shift.“We need more of these developers. They are bringing new technologies. These technologies are going to help to eliminate the bad systems we have been using. These developers are also going to help the Government to eliminate the element of school dropouts by not employing children under the age of 18,” said Paul Angesu, Chairperson, Tiira Landlords and Artisanal Miners Association.Once full production begins, the next phase includes underground road development and construction of a processing plant. Sasirwe said the site will become very busy.“When you go deeper underground, we shall start developing some roads there to get materials from different sides, so it will become very busy. We are also going to start the construction of the processing plant, which will need people too,” said Johny Sasirwe, Strategic Ugandan Partner, Runjin Mining Holdings.Runjin Mining Holdings is showing how Chinese investment can work with local communities in Uganda, not just alongside them.Chinese investment in Uganda spans mining, infrastructure, farming, and manufacturing. The Busia Gold Project adds to that picture. It also shows what a community-rooted approach to that investment looks like in practice.The government’s licensing commitment is the next test. Meeting it will say a great deal about Uganda’s readiness to support this kind of partnership. The post Chinese Mining Firm Offers Ugandans Up to 40% Share in Busia Gold Project appeared first on Business Focus.