On 22 November 2023, the Plenary Sitting of the Senate tasked the Government to increase the capacity of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) in terms of conducting mineral exploration across the country, purchase upgraded modern and adequate equipment, and seek professional staff, so that it can fully assume its responsibilities.

Besides, the Government was asked to further develop the courses in schools teaching mining, that help to provide the skills, knowledge and abilities needed to develop the mineral sector, and continue to enhance the capacity building of ordinary human resources in the mining.

Therefore, the Plenary Sitting of the Senate considered the report of the field visit activities of Committee on Economic Development and Finance in various districts to oversee mining sector’s activities in Rwanda.

Hon. Nkusi Juvenal said that the study made in 2017 showed that there are mining opportunities in Rwanda with 52 mineral deposits including 37 with mining licenses, while the preliminary data revealed that there are 112 million tons of minerals.

The Senate’s Committee found out that there are investors in mineral sector with 136 exploitation licences and 21 exploration licences, and that they have emplyed over 70,000 citizens in that sector.

About mineral value addition, there is in place a set of infrastructures including but not limited to Alex Stewarts laboratory that measures gemstones, and two industries that add value, up to now, to cassiterite and gold, that are respectively cassiterite refinery (Luna Smelter) and one gold refinery (Gasabo Gold Refinery).

Among the challenges identified include deep exploratory research which is needed to know precisely the type, size and quality of the gemstones and their true deposits that are in the country, there is several mining works that are still artisanal, lack finance and insurances access, illegal mining, and not enough skilled workers.