Bugesera to host US$3m mineral processing plant

A leading mining firm, Natural Resources Development Rwanda (NRD), will put up a semi industrial plant in Nemba, Bugesera District to cater for increased mining activities in the area. The US$3 million plant whose construction is scheduled for early 2012 will mainly process cassiterite, wolfram and coltan, which are common in the area. The firm’s chairman, Roderick Marshall, told The New Times that the plant will improve the quality of minerals and enhance pricing on the international market. “Exploration activities are ongoing to unearth new mining sites and they are so far positive; we have completed the construction of a modern industrial plant in Rutsiro District and should begin operating as soon as we acquire a license,” Marshall said, this week, during a tour of mining sites in Nemba. A Director and Shareholder at NRD, Ben Benzinge, said that the company set aside finances for environmental rehabilitation and social development projects to empower the surrounding communities. “NRD has budgeted Rwf147m for reforestation and land reclamation activities in 2012; a well equipped clinic has also been built for use by both the miners and the citizens who live near the mining sites,” Bensinge said, adding that this was their way of giving back to the society. The President of the Miners’ Association of Rwanda, Alphonse Gacendegeri, commended NRD for prioritising the health and safety of employees and the public, urging it to foster cooperation with the association and other mining companies. Officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources observed that NRD had abided by national and international mining regulations, particularly the tagging process, through which modern machines were installed at all its sites to record the origin of the minerals. NRD, an American based company, started operations in Rwanda in 2007 and has since become one of leading mining companies in the country employing over 3,000 miners. Ivan.mugisha@newtimes.co.rw

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Bugesera to host US$3m mineral processing plant