Rwandan Natural Resources Minister Biruta to highlight mining investment potential at iPAD Rwanda

KIGALI, Rwanda - Oct. 15, 2015 - PRLog -- "The most exciting project currently happening in the Rwandan mining sector is the transformation of the industry from an artisanal-mining dominated industry to a well-planned professional and mechanized industry”, says the Hon. Dr Vincent Biruta, Rwanda’s Minister of Natural Resources. Dr Biruta will address the special Mining Forum during the iPAD Rwanda Power & Infrastructure Investment Forum in November in Kigali on the government’s five year strategic plan to position the country as a mining investment destination.

The second edition of iPAD Rwanda enjoys high-level support from the Kigali government and parastatals and will once again welcome more than 250 industry experts and stakeholders from 5-6 November.

The event offers a platform for private investors, project developers, consultants, technology and solution providers and financiers looking for opportunities in Rwanda’s energy, infrastructure and mining sectors. In the mining sector, over 400 local mining companies and 30 co-operatives are open to considering partnerships and JVs, covering financing, capital equipment, technical support and competitive mineral trade contracts.

Output has increased more than 500%
The Honourable Minister Biruta says in an exclusive interview with the iPAD Rwanda organisers: “we have continuously seen new mineral discoveries for the last 10 years, the number of companies investing in the sector continues to increase, the focus today is on establishing a modern and investor friendly legal and regulatory framework which will enable us to add value to the minerals produced in Rwanda.”

He adds: “although it is commonly said that this sector is new to Rwanda, mining started in the 1920s; however, its revival started in 2006 when the Government introduced reforms in the sector starting with the privatization of all former government concessions. Since then, the output from mining activities has increased for more than 500% in terms of value and more than doubled in volume.”

According to the honourable minister: “as the understanding of the Rwandan geology and mineral potential increases, the confidence of mineral explorers and mining companies grow and this is yielding better mines with more efficient and advanced technologies. Some of the important projects being developed or in the pipeline are smelting of tin, refining of tantalum, niobium and tungsten, establishment of various large- scale mines, initiation of green model mines and the development of gemstone cutting and polishing centres.”

Investment opportunities
“Investment opportunities in the Rwanda mining industry,” says Rwanda’s Minister of Natural Resources, “reside in the introduction of mechanized and professional mining and mineral processing technologies for 3Ts (tin, tungsten and tantalum) and gold, the development of large and small-scale mines in the delineated brown fields, value addition to metallic and industrial minerals, cutting and polishing of gemstones such as sapphire, ruby, emerald, tourmaline…etc, exploration works in identified green fields.”

Rwanda is open for investment
Dr Biruta will address the opening session of the iPAD Rwanda Investment Forum in Kigali on 5 November and says hismessage to the delegates will be that: “Rwanda is open for investment and that companies are most welcome to invest in the mining sector. This is a high growing sector with great opportunities ranging from mining, mineral processing, refining, cutting and polishing and trading. In addition, Rwanda is well positioned in the African great lakes region in terms of investor-friendly legal framework, geographical location, infrastructure, financial systems all of which to support the mining industry development.”

More programme highlights on mining exploration in Rwanda during iPAD Rwanda are:

• Overview on geology landscapes, available surveys and viable deposits: Greenfield vs. brownfield opportunities

Dr Michael Biryabarema, Head of Geology and Mines Department, Rwanda Natural Resources Authority, Rwanda

• The Rwandan commodity market and its global presence

David Ben Suzan, CEO, Minerals Supply Africa Ltd, Rwanda

• Case study: Tin mining in Rwanda – The Rutongo mines concession
Martin Kahanovitz, CEO, Rutongo Mines, TINCO Investment Ltd, Rwanda

• Panel discussion: Identifying market challenges and best practices – Why invest in Rwanda’s mining sector now?

Panellists:

• Kevin Buyskes, General Manager, Rutungo Mines Ltd, Rwanda

• Nicole Uwacu, Operations Manager, Tantalium Minerals Trading Ltd, Rwanda

• Namara Hannington, Country Manager, Trademark East Africa (TMEA), Rwanda

• Rutongo mines site visit: hosted by Rwanda’s Ministry of Natural Resources(MINIRENA)

The iPAD Rwanda Power & Infrastructure Investment Forum is also enjoying top industry support including from Symbion Power, a well-known international power developer of electrical infrastructure projects, who is the diamond sponsor for the event, STEG International Services who are the platinum sponsors while KCB Bank Rwanda Ltd are gold sponsors for the event.

iPAD Rwanda is organised by Spintelligent, a leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

iPAD Rwanda dates and location:
Exhibition & Conference: 5-6 November 2015
Site visit: 7 November 2015
Location:  Kigali Serena Hotel, Central Kigali, Rwanda

For the full interview with the minister go to:  http://www.ipad-rwanda.com/HonMinisterMINIRENA
Website:  http://www.ipad-rwanda.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iPAD_Rwanda

Contact:
Communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.com