Small Scale Mining Handbook - Support to improving the performance...

Rwanda has an ambitious "Vision 2020" of which the overarching goal is "Accelerating progress to middle income status and better quality of life for all Rwandans". The vision of the Government is to transform the mining sector that is dominated by small scale and artisan mining into modernized, properly planned and executed mining operations which can either be semi-industrial or industrial. The Government of Rwanda recognizes the mining sector as a key priority in speeding up the economic growth of the country. Sixty percent (60%) of the mineral production in Rwanda is provided by ASM (Artisanal and Small Scale Mining). They do not have appropriate skills for mineral search, mining, mineral processing. In addition, they totally ignore mining and environmental laws and regulations. This document aims at helping to improve the knowledge and therefore the performance of ASM. It will mainly focus on: (i) Mineral exploration, (ii) Mineral exploitation and (iii) Mineral Processing. Itwill also deal with cross-cutting issues including national and regional mining legislation, safety and security in mining, environmental issues and economic aspects of the mining industry in Rwanda.