AN OVERVIEW OF THE MINING SECTOR

IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

by

CHRISTOPHER DUKU SAMUEL DIRECTOR OF MINERAL EXPLORATION

DIRECTORATE OF MINERAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND MINING

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN JUBA

Email: dukuwaran@gmail.com Tel. +211956707475

Introduction. The Mining Sector in the RSS. Current development and planned activities in the Mining Sector in the RSS. Mineral Resources in the RSS. The Economic impact of developing the Mining Sector in the RSS. The Institution managing the Mining Sector in the Republic of South Sudan. Challenges facing the Mining Sector. Conclusion.

INTRODUCTION: LOCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

Area: 650,000 sq.km Population: 8,260,490 Million (2008 Census) Main source of Revenue: Oil (98%)

Independent: 9 July 2011 More than 65 Communities Currency: SSP

THE MINING SECTOR IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

The Republic of South Sudan is the youngest nation in the world. According to some early geological studies South Sudan is very rich in mineral resources and the indication shows that there are over 20 different types of minerals and Gold being the most important second to Oil (oil currently is the major back-bone of the country’s economy).

Immediately after the independence in 2011 the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining announced a

moratorium suspending all Mining and Exploration activities pending the development of proper procedures and operational framework in the mining sector.

With the help of funding from the Multi Donors Trust Fund (MDTF)/World Bank and Australian Aid,

Adam Smith International (a British Law Firm) was contracted to develop the following operational framework for the mining sector in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining:

Mining Act.

Mining Regulations.

Community Development Agreement (CDA).

Exploration and Mining Agreement.

Guide for Mineral Exploration in the Republic of South Sudan and

Is currently working to set up a cadastre system in the Mining Sector.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNED

ACTIVITIES IN THE MINING SECTOR

Development of an Exploration and Mining Agreement

Is currently working to establish a Mining Cadastre system.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNED

ACTIVITIES IN THE MINING SECTOR Cont…….

License Planned Duration Area Extension

Reconnaissance 26 2 years Maximum of 25,000 sq. km and Minimum of 10 sq. km

Not extendable

Exploration 94 5 years Maximum of 2,500 sq. km and Minimum of 10 sq. km

Renewable for 2 terms of 5 years each

Large Scale Mining 2 25 years As required by the Mining Operation

20 years each

Small Scale Mining 215 10 years 1 sq. km Renewable for 10 years

Artisanal Mining License 200 1 year 1 sq. km Must be renewed annually

MINERAL RESOURCES IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

As a new nation geological information in the RSS is still limited and the Mining Sector is in the process of identifying the potential economic mineral resources through regional and detailed mapping and satellite imagery interpretations and also interpolating the results of work carried out in the neighbouring countries as the geology does not identify with the political boundaries.

Early geological findings indicate that South Sudan has many ore mineral potentials such as Gold, Copper, Iron ore, Bauxite, Manganese, Lead, Zinc, Nickel, Chromites, Niobium, Cobalt, Diamond, Uranium and more others. The country also has industrial minerals such as Clay, Gravel, Marble, Kaolin, Mica, Silica and Talc.

Among all the above mentioned minerals, only secondary gold is currently being exploited by artisanal miners.

The mineral wealth of South Sudan is still in the very early stages of exploration with only the oil industry being at an

advanced stage

ARTISANAL GOLD MINING IN SOUTH SUDAN

ARTISANAL GOLD MINING IN SOUTH SUDAN

Women in Artisanal Mining

MINERAL RESOURCES IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN Cont………..

After independence three years ago demands for Construction Materials increased drastically.

Therefore huge deposits of Sand, gravels and aggregates are currently being produced for construction in the country.

Previous studies also indicate that Marble/Limestone (of industrial scale for Cement Manufacturing) is found in South Sudan and currently there are potential companies having interest in exploring the cement deposits.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF DEVELOPINGTHE MINING SECTOR IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

The Republic of South Sudan is currently dependent on oil with 98% of the country's in-come coming from oil revenue. Therefore the development of the mining sector will pull the country out of its dependence on oil and open a way for diversifying the revenue sources and this will help bring about opportunities for investment and creation of jobs.

Artisanal and small scale mining operations in the country are currently creating jobs so the

identification of world-class underground deposits of industrial scale will boost the economy of the country.

The development of the mining sector will also create opportunities for improvement of the

Infrastructure

Education

Health

Water

Electricity

Skilled training opportunities and work

THE STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY INVOLVED IN THE MINING SECTOR (MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND MINING)

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

Minister’s Office

Undersecretary for Mining

Directorate of Mineral

Development

Directorate of Geological

Survey

Undersecretary of Petroleum

(Accounting Officer)

Directorate of Petroleum

Directorate of Administration

and Finance

Directorate of Planning, Training

and Research

D/Minister’s Office

MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND MINING Tasked with the development of

the Mining Sector

Geological Mapping and

Geological Data Collection

CHALLENGES FACING THE MINING SECTOR

Being a new nation the Republic of South Sudan is facing enormous challenges in

developing the mining sector and some of these include: Lack of well trained qualified manpower

Inadequate geological information i.e. the country has not yet being geologically mapped. Insufficient operational Facilities (office space, equipments, Labs and geological data). Lack of infrastructures.

Lack of Electricity.

Insecurity (being a new country we are still suffering from the teething illnesses).

The Mining Sector is on its final stage of putting in place all legal and operational framework to allow the lifting of the moratorium on Exploration and Mining activities.

CONCLUSION

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION!