Geography

Topic area
Human and Economic Geography
Sub-topic area
Economic activities
Key unit competence
By the end of this unit, you should be able to investigate the impact of mining on sustainable development in Rwanda.
Unit objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
 • Identify major minerals in Rwanda.
• State methods used in mining in Rwanda.
• State factors affecting the exploitation of minerals in Rwanda.
• Identify the importance of mining to the economy of Rwanda.
 • State the problems affecting mining.

Types and distribution of major minerals in Rwanda

Activity 14.1
Work in pairs. Study the photograph provided and use it to answer the questions that follow.
          
1. Identify the activity that is taking place in the photograph shown above.
 2. Name other areas in Rwanda where the activity identified takes place.
3. Name two examples of products that are obtained from the activity shown.
4. Assess the impact of the activity on the environment.
 5. Write down your answers and present them in a class discussion.

Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals from the Earth. The minerals could be in liquid, solid or gaseous state. Minerals occur in layers of rock, alluvial deposits and weathered materials.
Rwanda is not naturally endowed with a variety of minerals. The few that exist occur in small deposits and are not fully exploited. For example, methane gas that is found under the bed of Lake Kivu has not been fully exploited.

Activity 14.2
 Work in pairs.
Use the Internet and maps of Rwanda.
1. Identify the major mining areas in Rwanda.
2. State the minerals that are mined in each of the areas that you have located.
3. Draw a sketch map of Rwanda and on it, indicate the various mining areas and the types of minerals found in the areas.
4. Display your map on the class notice board.
 5. Compile your findings and present your work in a class presentation.


Activity 14.3
Do this in pairs.
1. Account for the uneven distribution of minerals in Rwanda.
2. Show how the government compensates for the unequal distribution of mineral resources in the country. 3. Write a report and discuss it in a class presentation.
Methods of mining in Rwanda
Activity 14.4
Use the Internet and a mineral map of Rwanda.
1. Identify and discuss the mining methods used in Rwanda.
2. Name the mining method used to extract each of the minerals found in Rwanda.
3. Write down your findings and present them in a class presentation.
There are different methods of mining in Rwanda. They include the following:
(a) Open-pit mining/open cast method
This is a mining method that is used when a mineral ore occurs near the surface of the Earth. The layers covering the mineral bearing rocks are removed and the rock is exposed. The mineral ore is then extracted from the pit created, hence the name open pit mining/open cast method. This method is used in the mining of wolfram, coltan, limestone rocks and cassiterite.

(b) Shaft or underground method
This method is used where minerals are found deep in the rock strata.
           
It involves the construction of vertical shafts or horizontal tunnels called adits to reach layers containing minerals. This method is used in the extraction of minerals such as cassiterite and wolfram in the highland areas that include Bugarama, Rutongo and Musha.

(c) Alluvial mining method
This is the most common method used in mining the alluvial deposits of Rwanda. It involves mixing of alluvial deposits with water. The mixture is then filtered until all the unwanted material such as silt or mud and other light particles are removed leaving the minerals behind. This method is used in Gicumbi, Rusizi and Nyamasheke areas where gold is mined.
                         
(d) Drilling method
 This is a mining method that is used to extract the liquid and gaseous minerals. It is used in Rubavu district in Lake Kivu where methane gas is mined. The method involves sinking pipes into the earth’s crust until the gas is reached.
                       
Activity 14.5
 Study the photographs provided below and answer the questions that follow.
                  

Task 14.1
1. Define mining.
2. State the major minerals mined in Rwanda.
3. Identify the mining methods used in Rwanda.

Factors affecting the exploitation of minerals in Rwanda
 Activity 14.6
Use the Internet, Geography textbooks, journals and other geographical documents.
1. Find out the factors that affect the exploitation of minerals in Rwanda.
2. Write down the findings and present them in a class discussion.
Some ofthe factors that affect the exploitation of minerals in Rwanda include the following:
 (a) The size of mineral deposits
Rwanda has few mineral resources. The few that are there occur in small deposits. This has encouraged artisanal mining. This is because it is difficult for companies to invest in the exploitation of small deposits of minerals because it makes little or no economic sense. However, in areas where large mineral ores are found in large deposits, commercial mining is practiced.
(b) Mineral quality or grade
 The quality or grade of the mineral ore to be mined greatly influences mining. It is economical to mine a mineral that is of a high quality because the economic returns expected will be high. On other hand, it is difficult to exploit low grade minerals since their demand and economic returns are very low.
(c) Type of minerals
The type of mineral mined affects mining. If the minerals mined are of a very high quality such as gold or diamond, mineral investing companies will invest in its exploitation. On the other hand, minerals whose value is not very high do not attract investors and are thus not exploited or are exploited in a small scale. (d) Availability of capital
Mining requires expensive equipment that are used to exploit the minerals. However, being a developing country, Rwanda does not have enough capital to adequately fund the mining industry. To meet this demand, both foreign and private companies have invested their money in the exploitation of the minerals found in Rwanda.
 (e) Availability of means of transport and communication
There are mineral deposits in the highlands of Rwanda that have remained unexploited due to the absence of transport and communication networks in the region. It is easier to mine minerals in areas that have well developed transport and communication systems than in areas without any or with poor infrastructure.
(f) Availability of adequate labour force
The presence of a steady supply of labour favours the exploitation of minerals. This has not always been easy in Rwanda especially when skilled workers are required in the mines. Rwanda depends on consultants and expatriates to oversee the mining.
 (g) The presence of reliable power supply
Mining depends on a reliable power supply since heavy drilling machines are used especially in the creation of shafts and adits. Power is also needed in the aeration system for the underground mines in underground mining. The power supply in Rwanda is not robust and therfore not very dependable.
Favourable government policies
The government has developed policies that favour the exploitation of minerals. Companies interested in mining are able to register within a short time. They also have a favourable working environment that encourages investment in the mining sector.
(i)The availability of technology
Technology influences mining in various ways. The mining sector involves heavy use of machinery. This is only possible with availability of updated technology. The exploitation of minerals that occur deep into the crust will not be possible without technology. Rwanda highly depends on foreign investors in the mining sector. The technological advances in the developed countries are high thus making mining possible.
(j) Political climate
 The political stability in Rwanda has played a great role in influencing the exploitation of minerals. Foreign and local companies that have invested in Rwanda’s mining sector have done so because of the prevailing peace and security. This allows them time and space to engage in mining activities.
(k) Availability of markets
 The mining sector is a commercial sector. Therefore mining activities will go on if there is a demand and ready market for the minerals mined. In Rwanda’s mining sector, there is a high demand for coltan therefore, its exploitation is viable.

Importance of mining to the economy of Rwanda
Activity 14.7
 Use the Internet, Geography textbooks, journals and other geographical documents.
1. Find out the importance of mining to the economic development of the country
2. Write down your findings and discuss them in a class presentation.
The mining sector in Rwanda plays a significant role in the economic development of the country. It is important in the following ways:
 (a) The mining sector earns the country foreign exchange through the export of minerals.
(b) The sector provides employment to the people who work in the mines thus providing them with a source of income that improves their standards of living.
 (c) The sector provides revenue to the government through taxation.
 (d) Mining has led to the development of other industries which use the minerals as a raw material.
 (e) Mining has led to the development of infrastructure such as roads in areas where mining takes place. These infrastructure not only benefits the mines but also the surrounding communities.
(f) Mining has led to the development of social facilities such as schools and hospitals that are located near the mining centres.
(g) Mining has improved the country’s balance of trade.
Mining provides energy to the country through the provision of natural gas and peat coal.
 (i) Mining has led to economic diversification. It has reduced the country’s overdependence on agriculture. (j) Mining has promoted Rwanda’s relationship with other countries through trade, the presence of foreign investors and expatriates.
(k) Mining has led to the development of urban centres. Examples of urban centres that have developed as a result of mining activities include Burera town that grew due to coltan mining, Rulindo town which grew due to wolfram mining and Gicumbi which grew due to gold mining.

Products from minerals in Rwanda

Activity 14. 8
Work in pairs.
1. Observe and write down the products of minerals that are found within your school and home.
2. Display some of them to the class specifying which minerals they are made of.
Some of the mineral products that are used in Rwanda include the following.
• Cement
• Jewellery
• Chemicals
• Metals
• Electrical products
 • Glass
• Ceramics
• Arts
 • Batteries
• Fertiliser
 • Medicine
• Light bulbs filaments
• X-ray tubes
• Capacitors used in electronic devices
• Laptop computers
• Cellular phones
 • Jet engines
• Rockets
• Cutting tools
• Camera lenses
• Ink jet printers
 • Hearing aids
• Pacemakers

Problems affecting mining in Rwanda

Activity 14.9
 Use the Internet, case study documents of various mining areas and other geographical documents.
1. Find out the problems that affect mining in Rwanda.
 2. Suggest possible solutions to the problems that you have listed in (1) above.
3. Draw conclusions, compile your findings and write an essay on the problems that affect mining in Rwanda and their solutions.
4. Present your findings in a class discussion.
Some of the problems that affect mining include the following.
 (a) Lack of capital which hinders mineral exploration and exploitation.
 (b) Poor infrastructure that makes some areas especially those in the mountainous areas inaccessible.
 (c) Some of the mineral deposits in Rwanda exist in small quantities. This makes it uneconomical to exploit them.
 (d) Lack of skilled labour in the mining sector. The country relies on foreign experts who are expensive to hire.
 (e) Insufficient power supply to the mining areas especially those in the rural areas. This hinders mineral exploitation in the remote areas.
 (f) Most mining activities are controlled by foreign companies. As a result, a big part of the revenue from the sector is repatriated.
 (g) Loss of lives in the mining areas. Some mining sites collapse with the workers inside the mines. This leads to loss of lives and discourages people from working in the mines.
Stiff competition from other countries for markets on the international scene.
(i) The sector faces competition from other sectors of the economy where the government puts more emphasis on.

Possible solutions to the problems affecting mining in Rwanda
The following are some of the solutions to the challenges that affect mining.
 (a) Introduction of improved and modern methods of mining. This will increase the mining output and the quality of products.
 (b) Hiring a skilled labour force and training the local workers in order to empower them.
 (c) The government should give local companies financial assistance and offer foreign companies tax holidays. This will boost their financial abilities and make the country an investment destination of choice for foreign investors.
(d) In areas where large mineral deposits have been identified, the government should construct roads, railways and airports.
 (e) Safety standards and the working conditions of the employees should be improved so as to guard against accidents that lead to loss of lives.
 (f) More industries that use minerals as raw materials should be established in order to increase the local demand for mining output.
(g) The mineral ores should be processed and value added to them so that they can have a competitive advantage in the market.
The government should encourage mineral exploration so that more mineral deposits can be discovered and exploited.

Activity 14.10
 Work in pairs.
 1. Assess the impact of mining methods used in Rwanda to the environment.
 2. Suggest environmentally friendly methods of mining that should be used by mining companies in Rwanda.
3. Make a written report on mining and the environment and share it in a class presentation.
Activity 14.11
1. Assess the mining of Rwanda’s resources.
2. Do you think it is important for the government to regulate and control the mining of Rwanda’s resources?
3. Write a report of your findings that you will present to your teacher for assessment.
4. Share your report with your classmates in a class presentation.

Did you know?
• Rwanda produces about 9% of the world’s tantalum, used in electronics manufacturing, and about 4% of global tungsten.
• In October 2012, Rwanda’s Ministry of Natural Resources suspended mining activities in the country’s western province on the basis that they were endangering the River Sebeya.
 • Mining activities in Rwanda started in the early 1930’s, developed by Belgian foreign companies.
• Mining in Rwanda has continued to gain significance as a source of export revenues.
• Rwanda is the only country within the East Africa region implementing the traceability and tagging schemes to guarantee transparent and ethical trading of minerals.

End of unit revision task

1. Examine the challenges faced by the mining sector in Rwanda.
2. To what extent is mining a significant sector in the development of the economy of Rwanda?
3. (a) Describe the mining methods used in Rwanda.
    (b) Assess the impact of mining on the environment.
    (c) Suggest ways of protecting the environment from the damage caused by mineral exploration and exploitation.
4. (a) Name five products obtained from minerals.
    (b) Suggest possible solutions to the problems facing the mining sector in Rwanda.
 5. Give the main types of minerals mined in Rwanda and the places where they are found.