Rwanda Gives 5% Mineral Revenues To Communities, Reports KT Press

    KIGALI, RWANDA, September 15, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The government of Rwanda has declared it will share revenues generated from minerals with local communities around mining sites.

As is done with revenues from tourism, particularly gorilla tracking, for surrounding local communities, 5% will also be given to those who live near mining sites.

On September 5, during the 11th Annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony (Kwita Izina), President Kagame said that apart from a general national benefit from minerals, communities around natural resources should directly benefit from the proceedings.

"These minerals should not just flyover...people around these areas should also get the same five percent or similar to what those around national parks get," Kagame said.

Indeed, local communities around the volcanoes national parks are entitled to 5% of the revenues generated from tourism.

Meanwhile, the Minister in-charge of Mines, Evode Imena, told KT Press that; "We are in contact with Rwanda Development Board and other concerned parties to ensure this policy is implemented with immediate effect.

There are 815 mineral sites producing 840 metric tons of minerals as of May 2015, the ministry said.

According to National Bank of Rwanda, between January and June 2015, Rwanda earned $64.24 million, meaning Rwandans living around the sites would have bagged $3.2 million.

The mining sector earned Rwanda over $205 million in 2014.

From now onwards, part of the revenues, Evode told KT Press, "Will be used in socioeconomic projects for the communities in areas around the mining sites."

For Media Enquiries
Dan Ngabonziza
KT Press
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+250788668509

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