Global demand for ‘critical’ or ‘technology’ metals is growing rapidly from a low base. In Eastern Africa this is manifested through commercial exploration interest in rare earth elements (REE) and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) of tungsten, tin and tantalum.
The open-pit Kamativi tin mine. Tailings from the mine are being investigated as a lithium resource. BGS © UKRI.
Our research is enhancing the understanding of the location, extent and geometallurgy of critical metal resources in Eastern Africa, their regional prospectivity and their potential to contribute to economic development. Findings will inform natural-resource governance and management with, in the context of critical and associated metals, special emphasis on managing the impacts of ASM. Crucially, this work is utilising synergies with a portfolio of NERC and EU grant-funded research on metallogenesis and geometallurgy in analogous environments.
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Integrated resource management in Eastern Africa
Our current activities build on the BGS’s extensive research experience in this region, contributing to welfare and future economic growth by the responsible use of natural resources.