Rwanda : Australian Mining Assistance to Rwanda launched
The Special Envoy of Australian Prime Minister, Bob McMullan reaffirmed Australia’s support to the Government of Rwanda by providing key skills training to improve income, employment and enterprise opportunities through mining.
McMullan said that his country will also support by working with local institutions to develop appropriate curriculum, by providing vocational skills trainings, and by offering scholarships opportunities in Australia.
McMullan made the remarks on 21st August 2012, during the Launch of the Australian Mining Assistance to Rwanda held in Kigali, at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).
The ceremony was attended by Stanislas Kamanzi, the Minister of Natural Resources (MINIRENA), who represented the Government of Rwanda and the Special Envoy of the Australian Prime Minister, HE Bob McMullan. Was also present, Australian High Commissioner to Rwanda, HE Geoff Tooth and Mrs Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamaliya, the Rector of KIST.
The Rwandan Nature Resources Minister revealed that the Mining Sector remains a priority focus area given its potential to contribute both to Rwanda’s Economic Growth in general and trade balance in particular as well as providing employment.
Minister Stanislas Kamanzi added that Government of Rwanda implemented various reforms in a view to ensure that Mining effectively contributes to social economic development of the country. He highlighted that the Government trough the Ministry of Natural Resources is committed to implement further reforms to ensure that the Sector is vibrant and adequately contributes to the continued economic transformation of the country.
MINIRENA Minister indicated that there is a need of strength skills in both government institutions and private sector operating in mining Sector.
Among the reforms experienced by the Government of Rwanda in Mining Sector include the traceability and tagging schemes to guarantee minerals are ethically mined and free from conflict. In this context, Rwanda is farthest ahead within the East Africa region.
The mineral tagging scheme in Rwanda began in 2010, following an American legislation which required electronic companies to verify and disclose the source of their minerals
