(JUBA) – Officials from South Sudan’s Ministry of Mining and key stakeholders have opened a two-day workshop in Juba to review and validate three major documents aimed at reforming the country’s mining sector.
The gathering brings together government officials, mining companies, development partners, civil society organisations and technical experts to discuss the proposed Mining Policy, the Mining Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030, and amendments to the Mining Act 2012 and the Mining (Mineral Title) Regulations 2015.
The reforms are intended to strengthen governance, improve transparency and support the sustainable development of South Sudan’s mineral resources.
Engineer James Kundu, Director General for Geological Survey at the Ministry of Mining, thanked the Ministry of Finance for its support in developing the mining policy. He said the policy will guide the ministry’s activities.
Emmanuel Michael, Project Coordinator at the National Ministry of Finance and Planning, said the government signed an agreement with the African Development Bank to support budget framework policy and provide technical assistance to various institutions. The Ministry of Mining is one of the beneficiaries of that support.
The workshop follows a series of high-level engagements by the Ministry of Mining to attract international investment and modernise the sector.
Between 10th and 11th September 2026, Minister of Mining Losuba Wongo presented South Sudan’s strategic vision for the mineral sector at the International Mining Forum in Tianjin, China.
During the forum, the minister met with his Sudanese counterpart, Noraldin Mohamed, to discuss joint cross-border mechanisms, align artisanal mining frameworks and curb informal mineral flows.
The minister also presented South Sudan’s mineral wealth to global investors and emphasised direct exploration, transparent regulation and local value addition.
In talks with the Sichuan Mineral Resources Exploration Group, discussions centred on Phase One of the Integrated Systematic Geological Survey Project and a proposal to jointly establish the South Sudan Institute for Mining Exploration and Development.
The minister also met with the China Railway 14th Bureau Group to discuss connecting mineral-rich areas through road and rail corridors, building processing hubs and transferring technical skills to local professionals.
Later in September, a delegation from the Ministry of Mining conducted an inspection visit to mining areas across Central Equatoria State.
The team was led by Acting Undersecretary Engineer Aliga Bethsmith William and included the Director of Mining Police, General Mabour Chawuop Mabour.
The visit covered mining companies at Ganji, Gorom and Wonduruba Administrative Payam. It aimed to assess operating companies, collect data on their activities and check compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, environmental standards and safety measures.
The inspection also gave the ministry an opportunity to engage directly with mining companies and local communities, identify challenges and promote responsible mining.
The Acting Undersecretary said the team found illegal gold mining by a number of unregistered companies. He urged operators to obtain legal licences from the Ministry of Mining before any legal action is taken.
General Mabour Chawuop Mabour said the Mining Police are ready to enforce the law and regulations governing mining activities in the country.
Simon Joseph Morris, a community representative from Kuli Papa area, welcomed the visit by the ministry team.
The Ministry of Mining said it remains committed to strengthening oversight, promoting responsible mining, protecting communities and the environment, and ensuring that South Sudan’s mineral resources contribute to sustainable development.
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