ITRI and Rwandan Government to Co-operate on iTSCi Conflict Mineral Traceability Scheme

SHANGHAI, Sep. 13 -- ITRI and the Rwandan Geology and Mines Authority (OGMR) are pleased to announce plans to co-operate in order to implement the ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative (iTSCi) Phase 2 mine-to-export traceability scheme for cassiterite and other minerals produced in Rwanda. This follows the iTSCi Phase 1 document collection requirement on-going since July 2009, and the piloting of the Phase 2 process at Kalimbi in eastern DRC over the last few months.

Kay Nimmo, Manager of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at ITRI remarked “We are very pleased to be able to take this important step towards the expansion of the scheme in a country of key importance for both cassiterite production and trading. The proactive action and involvement of OGMR means the mineral business in Rwanda will have the best possible opportunity for continued development and access to international markets”.

Michael Biryabarema, Director of OGMR commented “The recently agreed US ‘conflict minerals’ Bill presents many challenges to African mining and mineral trading businesses, not least the implementation of full and complex due diligence procedures that have not yet been prescribed in detail by relevant authorities. The iTSCi scheme can assist in mitigating the impacts of such regulation by meeting the anticipated requirements as far as possible within the exceedingly short timescales for compliance available to industry and national Governments alike”.

The first site to adopt the iTSCi process will be Rutongo Mines Ltd a cassiterite mine operated by Ruddington; a major investor and the largest producer of cassiterite within Rwanda and employer of over 3000 people. The iTSCi scheme will complement work already carried out by the Rwandan authorities under the BGR (Certified Trading Chain; CTC) project at a number of larger sites in the country.

The project has no external funding and will be resourced by ITRI, the Rwandan Government and local industry.