Rwanda: Gov’t issues first ICGLR Mineral Export Certificate

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In a bid to develop a mining industry that is modern, efficient and responsive to global mineral markets, the government of Rwanda has issued its first International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Mineral Export Certificate.

The certificate was issued today, November 6, at the shipment of Rutongo Mines limited located in Rulindo District in the Northern Province.

The ICGLR mineral tracking and certification scheme aims at finding a solution to the problem of illicit trade in Tungsten, Tin, Tantalum and Gold.

This kind of certificate accompanies each exported shipment of designated minerals that has been certified and the certificate further serves as the guarantee to purchasers that a mineral shipment is conflict free and meets all other ICGLR standards.

According to the State Minister in charge of Mining, Evode Imena, Rwanda participated in the designing of the ICGLR Regional Mineral Certification Mechanism and integrated it into its legal framework in April 2012.

“We have put in place all requirement expected of member states, to implement the ICGLR Regional Certification Mechanism,” said the Minister.

The certification process, the Ministry of Natural Resources says was developed in consultation with concerned stakeholders that include member states, regional producers, traders and exporters, regional civil society, international industry and international civil society.

The purpose of ICGLR mineral tracking and certification scheme is to provide for sustainable conflict- free mineral chains in and between member states of the international conference on the great lakes.

It will also promote the mineral sector by establishing common regional standards for transparency working conditions, environmental performance and community consultation.

With this development comes the availability of the Analytical Finger Printing (AFP) database from about 300 mine sites which will be used by the Independent Mineral Chain Auditor when the procedure becomes operational.

Member states are obliged to examine each export of designated material including all the supporting documentation concerning chain of custody and mine of origin before issuing a certificate.