Rwanda commended for observing mining standards

Rwanda is more advanced than all its neighbours in the implementation of mining standards, the biennial International Tin Conference held in South Africa this week observed.The two day conference brought together over 80 key tin producers and investors to discuss the progress of the tin industry and the impact of ‘conflict minerals’ regulation on artisanal miners in Africa.Rwanda was represented by Ambassador, Vincent Karega as well as eight local mining companies led by Jean Malic Kalima, the President of Rwanda Mining Association.In a statement sent to The Sunday Times, the conference observed that: “Due to the complexity of the mineral tagging exercise, Rwanda Natural Resource Authority is putting in place a capacity building program so as to achieve the highest efficiency and avoid any abuse in the mining system.”In his remarks during the conference, Ambassador Karega observed that Rwanda had paved way for huge investments into the sector through privatisation and ensuring that both international and local regulations are respected by players in the sector.“There is high political commitment in the country which has paved way to strong actions as regards to the implementation of mineral systems.Whereas Rwanda is committed to the implementation of these necessary measures, it is also working with its neighbors and the rest of Africa to achieve sustainable peace and stability for a more reliable trade environment,” Karega said.In his address to the conference, Joseph Mbaya, Rwanda’s International Tin Research Institute (ITRI) Program Manager highlighted that the East and Central African region consented to the international guidelines and have improved the control of minerals production.“Mining in Rwanda is improving, both the government and private investors have indicated goodwill towards implementing measures to ensure that the trade of minerals is transparent,” Joseph Mbaya, the ITRI Program Manager in Rwanda, said in an interview.“What needs to be done now is that all countries bordering Congo move faster towards ensuring that cross boarder movements are well inspected and for all companies to monitor and know who their mineral suppliers are,” Mbaya further observed.The conference was organized by the ITRI, to which Rwanda is a member, in partnership with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the UN.Rwanda’s mining sector fetched over $150 million in foreign earnings last year, $11million more than tea and coffee combined.