. (“Vangold”) is pleased to announce the launch of the latest
airborne geophysical data for Uganda. Eighty (80%) percent of the country is now covered by magnetic,
radiometric and electromagnetic (EM) surveys for the purpose of promoting mineral exploration.
Vangold’s mineral concessions in Uganda currently cover 1.4% of Uganda’s land surface spread over 32
exploration licenses in regions of high mineral potential.
The High Resolution Airborne Geophysical Survey Programme for Uganda commenced in 2006. With
financial support in the form of loans and grants from World Bank Organization (WBO), African
Development Bank (AFDB), NDL and Government of Uganda, totalling $47 million US dollars, the
Commissioner of the Department of Geological Survey and Mines, Joshua T. Tuhumwire, happily
announced today, at the Ministry for Mineral Development and Mines in Kampala, that the seven blocks,
totalling 630,622 line kilometres of magnetic and radiometric surveys are now ready and available for
acquisition. He hopes the data will improve inadequate geoscience information and that the release of this
extensive new high resolution geophysical data set will attract mineral investment in Uganda.
Back in 1961, a regional airborne geophysical survey was conducted for mineral exploration and was
funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government of Uganda achieved
almost 50% coverage by 1980. These surveys were typically flown with 1km line spacing, 10km ties and
120m terrain clearance. All magnetic data of the regional programme was subsequently compiled into one
data set during the African Magnetic Mapping Project in 1992.
In 1996-2000 The Ugandan government formally requested the support of the WBO to support and
finance the implementation of the Programme. By 2001, The Government of Uganda also approached the
AFDB and by 2006 the Programme commenced.
Line spacing for Blocks 1 (southeast-Bugiri and Busia), 2 (west-central-Mubende/Fort
Portal/Kamwenge), 3 (southwest-Kabala and Ntungamo), 5 (northwest-West Nile) and 7 (southcentral-
Masaka) are 200m and the terrain clearance is 80m. Block 4 (Northcentral-Gulu/Kitgum) has 400m line
spacing with 80m terrain clearance. Block 6 (central Uganda), never flown before and therefore
considered reconnaissance data, was acquired with 500m line spacing and 80m terrain clearance.
Blocks 1 through 7 are magnetic and radiometric surveys all flown by Fugro. In addition, several smaller
EM surveys are currently being run and include a planned total of 23,806 line kilometres of EM surveys.
The EM surveys are 200m line spacing and to date approximately 15,000 has been completed.
Block 1 (covering Vangold’s Bugiri 200km