{"id":52212,"date":"2024-12-11T17:33:48","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T17:33:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/sustainable-energy-solutions-in-rwanda-s-small-scale-mining-sector-take-center\/"},"modified":"2024-12-12T01:34:59","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T01:34:59","slug":"sustainable-energy-solutions-in-rwanda-s-small-scale-mining-sector-take-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/sustainable-energy-solutions-in-rwanda-s-small-scale-mining-sector-take-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable energy solutions in Rwanda\u2019s small-scale mining sector take center stage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Industry leaders gathered to discuss the ongoing impact of solar-powered, rechargeable head torches and mini-grids on mining operations for different mining companies countrywide.<\/p>\n

The Illuminating Small-Scale Mining in Rwanda (ISMR) project, led by PACT-Rwanda, is driving the adoption of these sustainable energy solutions as part of broader global efforts to promote resilience and social impact across various sectors, including public health, governance, and energy.<\/p>\n

James Mcquilken, the Global Director of Responsible Mining at PACT, explained that the initiative, which began four years ago, aims to bring artisanal miners up to the same occupational health and safety standards as larger mining operations.<\/p>\n

\u201cSmall-scale miners should have access to safe and decent working conditions. When we visited mines in Rwanda, miners were using handheld torches with poor lighting. This contrasts with the well-lit tunnels of large-scale mines, which use rechargeable head torches. We decided to introduce this technology to improve safety and productivity,\u201d Mcquilken said.<\/p>\n

\"James<\/figure>\n

Over the past year, the project has introduced solar-powered head torches and mini-grids at several partner mines. These changes aim to address the challenges faced by miners, particularly the high costs and environmental damage caused by traditional battery-powered torches.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy providing miners with access to solar energy, we are not only improving working conditions but also reducing their reliance on expensive and environmentally harmful power sources,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Moise Mutabazi, the Country Director of Pact Rwanda, highlighted the positive outcomes of the project, which include significant cost savings for small scale miners.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiners have saved up to 70% bills saving due to mini grid solar instalation. This has led to greater efficiency in their work, as they can now afford the electricity needed for their operations without overburdening themselves financially,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

One of the key challenges affecting miners in Rwanda is access to finance where to support the adoption of renewable energy solutions, partnerships have been formed with financial institutions like Equity Bank Rwanda. Financial literacy training for miners has been critical in ensuring that they can afford these technologies.<\/p>\n

\"One<\/figure>\n

The project\u2019s focus on gender inclusivity has also garnered attention. Empowering women-led mining operation through the introduction of solar energy has not only improved working conditions but also empowered female miners.<\/p>\n

Polcarpe Nshimirimana, Senior Program Manager at the ISMR project, says that gender equality is a central component of the initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot afford to leave women behind in this sector. This project has not only provided access to better lighting but also promoted gender equality in the mining sector as a whole,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Rwanda Mining Board has also played a key role in ensuring that the initiative aligns with national mining policies. Discussions with the Rwanda Mining Board are underway to scaling these changes to other mining operations across the country.<\/p>\n

Donat Nsengumuremyi, the Mining Extraction and Inspection manager at Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) acknowledged that the imitative is a good move in the right direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough such forums, we get more acquainted on what has been achieved, discuss the best practices and forge a way forward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Moise<\/figure>\n

The major focus is to provide miners with the tools and knowledge needed to operate more sustainably while maintaining the financial viability of their businesses. As the sector shifts toward renewable energy, the goal is not just to improve working conditions but also to set a precedent for responsible mining practices across the region and beyond.<\/p>\n

\"Donat<\/figure>\n
\"Polcarpe<\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
\"There<\/figure>\n
\"A<\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rwanda\u2019s small-scale mining sector is increasingly adopting renewable energy solutions in a bid to improving both safety and environmental sustainability. This shift was highlighted at a multi-stakeholder meeting held in Kigali on December 10, 2024.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":2000078574,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[3135],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-52212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-sam-k-nkurunziza-2"],"bylines":[{"id":3135,"name":"Sam K Nkurunziza","slug":"sam-k-nkurunziza-2","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":null}],"contributors":[{"id":3135,"name":"Sam K Nkurunziza","slug":"sam-k-nkurunziza-2","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":null}],"featured_image":{"id":2000078574,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/profile_1-7.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/profile_1-7.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/profile_1-7.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/profile_1-7.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/profile_1-7.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/profile_1-7.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52212"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52212\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000078574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52212"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=52212"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=52212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}