MINING: Mining sector targets more skilled labour

It was conducted in collaboration with Rwanda Geology and Mines Authority (OGMR) also finding out the destination of the mining sector exports receipts With steadily increasing earnings from minerals, the mining sector is targeting skilled labour to boost its revenues in the coming years. This follows a survey by National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) that indicated that Rwanda’s mining sector employs more of unskilled local labourers that technical. The survey was carried out in September, 2008, from 10 registered mining companies out of 14 that received questionnaires. It was conducted in collaboration with Rwanda Geology and Mines Authority (OGMR) also finding out the destination of the mining sector exports receipts. This was after the sector received 94 percent and 97.4 percent of the total revenues in 2007 and by end of July 2008 respectively. The survey also indicates that 2,802 out of 2,816 employees are locals. This represents 99.5 percent of the total employees in surveyed companies and 0.03 percent of the country’s estimated population of 10 million people. However, 88.2 percent of the total local employees are unskilled. While 7.5 percent of local employees are technical and 4.3 percent are managerial or administrative. The findings further indicate that 2,413 employees are male, while 389 are female. The study was based on company responses to questionnaires that required respondents to indicate their shareholders, their country of residence and the percentage of stake. But out of 10 respondents, three reported 2,537 employees, representing 90.1 percent of the 2816 employees. This is because most of the companies exporting minerals are not operating in mining concessions but are mineral buyers. And that due to the low response rate registered for 2006 and 2008, only findings related to the year 2007 were considered.According to the study, the 10 respondents reported a turnover of $48.8m (Rwf26.5 billion) of mineral exports receipts registered in 2007. This represents 68.8 percent of the total amount of $70.6m (Rwf38.5 billion) of minerals exports receipts in 2007. According to the same survey, local investors’ fixed assets were worth Rwf0.68b since 2006. Well as foreign investors’ assets increased from $0.90b in 2006 to $2.09b in 2008, representing an increase of 32.2 percent. The companies randomly selected were part of 23 exporters of Tin, Coltan and Wolfram which collected export revenues of $70.6m in 2007 and $55m end of July 2008, basing on the export data base. Minerals exports revenues started better performance in 2004 with $29.3m earnings, from $11m in 2003. Based on the exports figures as of October, the mineral exports revenues are expected to be above $100m this year. Ends

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MINING: Mining sector targets more skilled labour