Rwanda’s Ministry of Natural Resources has signed mining contracts with six companies to exploit 10 mining concessions that will earn the central African country up to $45 million in five years, Reuters reported.
The former Gatumba mining concessions in the west of the country are expected to produce 3,200 tonnes per year of mixed tantalum, tin and tungsten ores over five years from 2017, or around 30% of total production, Evode Imena, state minister for mining, told a news conference. “For the whole country, last year the mining revenues were at around $216 million and for these six companies coming for the next five years they will be producing around $40 million to 45 million, which is considerable,” Imena said. Projected production is substantially greater than has been achieved recently by previous operators who failed to meet the government’s requirements and abandoned the concessions.
The six successful bidders were identified on the Ministry’s website and include five local companies (Ruli Mining and Trade, Geosami, Crystal Mining and Trading, Nsyabire ltd, and SEAVMC) and an Indian company KNM Combines. They are expected to invest 6.5 billion Rwandan francs ($9 million) over five years and have also committed to local CSR programmes and high safety standards at the mines. A further 7 licences for concessions in Rutsiro district are expected to be allocated at a later date.
