On 16 August 2025 (local time), Wagagai Mining (U) Limited - a subsidiary of China Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Management Development Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group), held a grand ceremony at the Busia Gold Mine to mark its full-scale production commencement and unveil the presidential plaque. This signifies a decisive victory in the mine's development and construction. This milestone achievement represents a significant step in the internationalization of Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group's industrial operations, embodies the commitment of Chinese private enterprises to the "Belt and Road" Initiative, and signifies a renewed departure for Hongda's people in their endeavour to "crossing mountains and seas to pioneer new horizons."

On the day of the ceremony, Busia basked in particularly brilliant sunshine after recent rains. The Wagagai Gold Mine site was adorned with banners, colourful flags and red carpets, as hundreds of guests and locals gathered to witness this pivotal moment in Uganda's mining history. Around noon, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, arrived at the venue, accompanied by His Excellency Zhang Lizhong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Uganda, several Ugandan government ministers, Mr. Tan Jiugang, Chairman of Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group, and Mr. Tan Jiuchang, General Manager of the Group, to inspected the core production systems of the Wagagai Gold Mine.

During the inspection, the delegation visited the mining system, mineral processing system, and smelting and refining system in order, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the entire process of extracting ore to refining gold. The chairman of Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group personally provided detailed explanations to the leaders and guests about the mining system and safety control, the efficient processes of ore gravity separation and flotation, as well as the detail management in the smelting and refining stages.

The President paused several times to inquire carefully, with the Minister of Mining, Minister of Energy, and Minister of Finance occasionally nodding in approval. Seeing the crude gold bars being refined to international standards in the furnace, the President stated that this is "the way Uganda should take." The accompanying leaders unanimously agreed that the process standards and level of automation at the Wagagai Gold Mine are not only unprecedented in Uganda but also serve as a benchmark throughout the East African region.

At the auspicious time, His Excellency the President, accompanied by Ambassador Zhang Lizhong and various ministers, slowly pulled back the golden curtain, revealing a plaque inscribed with "Wagagai Gold Mine Project" that shimmered in the sunlight, symbolizing the official production and full operation of Uganda's first large-scale industrial gold mine.

Subsequently, His Excellency the President and his entourage enthusiastically observed the production process of a furnace of gold ingots. His Excellency personally participated in casting the very first gold ingot for Wagagai Mining. Media cameras captured His Excellency's satisfied smile as he touched a freshly cast gold bar. This image swiftly became the focal point of the event, serving as a vivid commentary to the opening of a new chapter in Uganda's mining history.

On the day, over 300 distinguished guests attended the ceremony. The Ugandan Ministers of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mines, Energy, Finance, Trade and Industry, Defence, and the Executive Secretary were all present. The Director and Deputy Director of the Geological Survey of Uganda led their delegation jointed the ceremony. Numerous members of Parliament, the King of Busia, and local government teams gathered at the scene. Representatives from the Uganda Free Zone Authority, the Central Bank, the National Mining Corporation, the Gold Refining Association, and the Mining Association were present to witness the occasion. His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Lizhong of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda and his wife graced the event with their presence. Strategic partners of Wagagai Mining, community representatives, and local residents shared in this historic moment. Outside the factory premises, local residents gathered spontaneously, singing and dancing in an atmosphere brimming with celebration and pride.

During the ceremony, His Excellency President Museveni delivered a significant address. He emphasized that the Wagagai Gold Mine represents a "game-changing milestone" in Uganda's economic history. He stated: "For a long time, Uganda's gold was exported as low-purity sponge gold or amalgamated gold, resulting in lost value-added from mineral resources and reduced government revenue. Today, we witness gold being refined locally to the international standard of 99.99% purity, signifying our genuine advancement towards industrialization. Only by undertaking industrial-scale mining and deep processing of raw ores can mineral resource enterprises generate greater wealth and create more employment opportunities for the nation."

His Excellency Zhang Lizhong, the Ambassador of China to Uganda, pointed out in his address that the Wagagai project is a symbol of China-Uganda friendship and pragmatic cooperation. He stated: "Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group has not only invested funds but also brought in technology, management experience and social responsibility. The completion of the project is not only a success for the enterprise but also a result of win-win cooperation between China and Uganda, injecting new vitality into Uganda's economic development."

Uganda's Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, stated in her address that the commissioning of the Wagagai gold mine is a successful practice of the government's policy to "prohibit the export of raw minerals and promote local deep processing." She emphasized that enhancing the added value of minerals is a critical direction for Uganda's future development, and the completion of the Wagagai mining company provides the best model for this policy.

Mr. Tan Jiuchang, the General Manager of Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group, warmly welcomed President Museveni and all leaders, guests, and friends attending the ceremony on behalf of all employees of the group. He expressed heartfelt thanks and high respect to the Ugandan government departments and partners for their consistent care, support, and assistance in the development of Wagagai Mining.

During the visit with the leaders and guests, Mr. Tan introduced that after the project is completed, it is designed to process 5,000 tons of ore daily, with an expected annual refined gold output of 1.2 tons, marking a significant leap in Uganda's overall gold production compared to previous years. This breakthrough will not only significantly increase Uganda's fiscal revenue and foreign exchange reserves but also promote comprehensive development of the downstream industry chain. He said, "Busia, once a gathering place for manual miners, now has modern mineral processing and smelting plants, which means Uganda's gold industry has entered a true era of industrialization."

Leaders attending the ceremony delivered successive addresses, collectively expressing high praise and best wishes for Wagagai Mining's development.

Records indicate that Wagagai Mining (U) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary established by Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group in Uganda. The total investment in the project is approximately 250 million USD, of which 150 million USD has been invested in the first phase, with a construction period of 6 years. The project is located in the Mawero Parish of Alupe Village in the Busia District, covering an area of 9.224 square kilometers, with proven gold ore reserves exceeding 25 million tons and a gold metal content of 20 tons. As Uganda's first large-scale industrial gold mine, Wagagai Mining not only fills the gap in modern mining development in the country but also achieves gold refining in Uganda for the first time, with gold bars reaching the international standard purity of 99.99%, marking a new phase of internationalization for Uganda's gold industry.

It is reported that the Wagagai Gold Mine has created over 2,000 jobs during the construction phase. Upon full operation, it will generate thousands of indirect employment opportunities through its upstream and downstream supporting industries. The company is committed to continuing to fulfill its social responsibilities by investing a certain percentage of its output value into a community development fund each year, which will be used for road construction, improving medical and educational conditions, and funding youth training and sports development. At the same time, the company strictly complies with Ugandan environmental regulations, pays the land rehabilitation deposit on time, and installs a real-time environmental monitoring system in the factory area to ensure that waste water, tailings, and air emissions meet international standards, dedicated to building an 'ecological, green, and resource-friendly mining enterprise.'

A young representative from the Busia community said emotionally in an interview: "In the past, we could only mine in manual pits, with meager income and difficult lives. Now my companions and I have received training here and become operators on the mineral processing line. Not only do we have stable jobs, but we also have a new future." His voice represents the sentiments of thousands of ordinary Ugandans.

Industry experts believe that the production of the Wagagai Gold Mine will fundamentally change the export structure of Uganda's mining products. In the past, although Uganda's gold export revenues were high, they relied mainly on the re-export of imported gold, with local production being almost negligible. Now, the capacity of Wagagai will directly drive Uganda's gold industry towards self-sufficiency, enhancing the country’s position in the global supply chain. This is not just an increase in output, but also an enhancement of its value chain position

The investments of Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group have also injected confidence into the international mining industry. As a key focus of the group's layout in Africa, Wagagai Mining demonstrates the strategic vision of Chinese enterprises on the path to internationalization. Experts point out that this cooperation model of 'capital and technology exchanged for resources' not only helps Uganda establish a modern mining system but also provides Chinese companies with a stable supply of resources, representing a new model of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

The completion of the Wagagai Gold Mine has surpassed the significance of merely increasing gold production. It symbolizes Uganda's farewell to the history of raw mineral exports, ushering in a future of deep processing and industrialization. It has changed not only the industrial landscape of Busia but also Uganda's national development strategy. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Liaoning Hongda Enterprise Group, Wagagai Mining has demonstrated corporate responsibility and commitment through practical actions. In the future, this project will continue to contribute endlessly toward Uganda's industrialization dreams, the deepening of comprehensive cooperation between China and Uganda, and a better tomorrow for corporate employees and community residents.

Edit:Jonely