Questions and answers

Miners, processors, carriers and site workers aged 18 or over who live or work in one of our areas and agree to follow the code of conduct.

There is a one-time joining fee and a yearly subscription. The amounts for Uganda and DRC are on the membership page. Pay only to the association's official accounts, and always ask for a receipt.

Yes. Register through your area focal point. News, training dates and alerts reach members in person and by SMS as well as WhatsApp.

Filling in the form takes about five minutes. Your focal point then confirms that you work in the area, which usually takes two weeks. After you sign the code of conduct and pay the joining fee, you receive your member number and card.

No. The association is not a licensed gold dealer and does not buy or sell gold. Members sell directly to licensed buyers. We help with information, scale checks and sales records.

Ask to see the buyer's licence, and check with your focal point before selling. We are preparing a list of buyers who have passed our checks. Be careful of buyers who ask for money in advance or offer prices far above others.

The world price is for pure gold delivered to a refinery. Local prices are lower because of purity, refining and transport costs, and the royalties and taxes that must be paid. A fair buyer should explain how they reached their price. Always see the scale reading yourself.

No. Gold mined in Uganda is sold through Ugandan legal channels, and gold mined in DRC through Congolese ones. Moving gold across the border outside these channels is illegal and members who do so lose their membership. Read our policy.

No. Licences are issued by government: in Uganda through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and in DRC through the mining authorities and SAEMAPE. We explain which licence you need and help you prepare the documents.

No. You can join first, and we will help you get the right licence or miner's card.

Use the contact form and tick "Send without my name", or speak to your focal point. Reports are read by the grievance officer, who is independent of the area leaders.

No. Training by the association is free for members. Never pay fees to personal numbers. Please report it.

In Uganda call 999 or 112. In DRC call your area contact. Then call the association safety line. Our safety guide explains first aid for falls, bleeding and bad air.

No. Buyers and partners see only summaries, never your name, phone number, sales or exact site. See the privacy policy.

Yes. Write to our data and privacy officer at privacy@abamwe.org or ask your focal point.

Buyers, NGOs, government agencies, universities and volunteers can all work with us. See ways to partner or contact us.