Kigali — The Government of Rwanda and the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) recently concluded a three-day expert group meeting to review a study titled, "Assessment of the Mining Policies and Regulatory Frameworks in the East African Community." The purpose of this study is to ensure the alignment of mineral and mining policies in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda with the Africa Mining Vision (AMV).
The study is primarily aimed to assess the extent to which the policy and regulatory frameworks of the East African countries accommodate and enable the implementation of the development objectives of the AMV. The study also seeks to evaluate the extent to which these mineral resource policies facilitate the attainment of the AMV's principal goals, which include:
- fostering a transparent and accountable mineral sector,
- promoting good governance,
- improving knowledge and optimizing the benefits of mineral resource endowments,
- developing linkages and using them to support economic diversification,
- harnessing the potential of small-scale mining,
- fostering environmentally sustainable, safe and socially responsible mining practices, and
- building human and institutional capacities.
In her opening statement, Ms. Rose Mwebaza, Senior Policy and Regulatory Advisor of AMDC, said, "The overarching agenda of this meeting is to generate knowledge and support policy development with regard to the implementation of the African Mining Vision by initiating steps towards the harmonization of mining policies among member countries. We are very happy that key players are represented and we look forward to substantive discussions."
In this regard, workshop outcomes were met and constructive debate concluded with a way forward for the East African Community to harmonize its mining policies and legal frameworks to the AMV.
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Note for editors on the Africa Mining Vision:
Formally adopted by African heads of state in 2009, the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) is the continent's own response to tackling the paradox of great mineral wealth existing side by side with pervasive poverty. Simply put, the AMV outlines the roadmap to the transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development in Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Daisy Leoncio
Communications and Advocacy Officer
African Mineral Development Centre
Visit us at www.africaminingvision.org
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