GEOLOGY OF

RWANDA
Degauche’s document
C.E: Level III&IV
2017-2018
Contents

TOPIC: GEOLOGY OF RWANDA ............................................................................................1

I. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1

II. ROLE OF GEOLOGY OF RWANDA................................................................................1

III. TOPOGRAPHY OF RWANDA ........................................................................................2

IV. GEOLOGY AND ECONOMY OF RWANDA RELATIONSHIP .....................................3

V. GEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT OF RWANDA RELATIONSHIP .............................4

VI. TYPES OF ROCKS FOUND IN RWANDA .....................................................................4

VII. ROLE OF ROCKS FOUND IN RWANDA .....................................................................5

VIII. CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................................6

IX. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................6

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 TOPIC: GEOLOGY OF RWANDA

I. INTRODUCTION
Geology is the core discipline of the earth sciences and encompasses many different phenomena,
including plate tectonics and mountain building, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the long-term
evolution of Earth's atmosphere, surface and life. Because of the ever-increasing demand for
resources, the growing exposure to natural hazards, and the changing climate, geology is of
considerable societal relevance.

The Rwanda’s geology comprises Mesoproterozoic metasediments,largely quartzite, sandstones,

and shales of the Burundian Supergroup which are locally intruded by granite. There are four
types of granite in the Kibaran Belt. In eastern Rwanda are the “older granites” along with
granitic-gneisses and migmatites of Palaeoproterozoic age. In the northwest and southwest
are Neogene volcanics, ranging in age from Cenozoic to recent. Some of the volcanoes in the
area are highly alkaline. Alluvium and lake sediments of Quaternary age occur in parts of
the Western Rift and along rivers and lakes (Schlüter and Thomas, 2008).

In this topic, we will mainly discuss about the geology of Rwanda and its impact to the Rwandan
citizens by viewing its relationship with other objects such as economics, environments, etc.

II. ROLE OF GEOLOGY OF RWANDA

There are many reasons why geology is important in life and to civilization. Think about
earthquakes, landslides, floods, droughts, volcanic activity, ocean water currents (el Niño), types
of soil, fuel oils, minerals (gold, silver, uranium), and so on. Geologists study all of these
concepts. Thus, the study of geology plays an important role in modern life and civilization.

The mining and Geology Sector policy is incorporated in the national policy of the Social
economic development of Rwanda. It consists in a fair management of mining resources, the
integrative area of the national patrimony so as to contribute sustainably and equitably to the
poverty eradication as well as improvement of the population well being. The good management
includes the improvement of knowledge about geology and mineral resources in the national

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land, their modern exploitation bearing in mind the security of the environment, the sensitization
of people on geological and mineral knowledge available and the transformation of those raw
materials as a channel towards a setting of industrial sites that are needed in our country. It is
important to notice that the mining and geology sector is lagging behind since 1980 particularly
in the domain of research and exploitation, the situation which was exacerbated by the terrible
events of 1994 in Rwanda hence making the whole situation fall 0 level (Rhodes and Perlman,
2001).

After 1994, Minerals are becoming an important source of revenue for Rwanda and have shown
good potential as an avenue for increased growth and economic transformation. For instance,
Rwandan exports in value terms showed a strong growth of 56 per cent in 2011 compared to
2010 on account of high prices led by minerals exports. In the area of minerals exports,
production in 2010 carried over to 2011 contributed to the increase in receipts. During the years
2006-2008, the mining and quarrying activities registered an exceptional performance. In 2006,
the Rwandan Minerals Industry set revenue targets of $54 million and $63 million for 2007 and
2008 respectively. The targets were exceeded with revenues of $71 million in 2007 and $93
million in 2008. In 2011, the export revenue reached to $156 million and $136 million in 2012
and US$228 million in 2013. The performance of this sector is due to strengthened supervision
regulation, availability of new data for investor’s interest and the support for value addition in
metallic ores and quarries. The main issue with Rwanda's mineral exports is to increase the scale
at which the current mineral exports are produced. [1]

III. TOPOGRAPHY OF RWANDA

Rwanda lies on the great East African plateau, with the divide between the water systems of
the Nile and Congo rivers passing in a north–south direction through the western part of the
country. To the west of the divide, the land drops sharply to Lake Kivu in the Great Rift Valley-
to the east, the land falls gradually across the central plateau, its grassy highlands are the core
areas of settlement of Rwanda's peoples to the swamps and lakes on the country's eastern border.

Almost all of Rwanda is at least 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level, the central plateau is
between 1,500 and 2,000 m (4,950–6,600 ft) high. In the northwest on the border with
the Democratic Republic Of Congo are the volcanic Virunga Mountains, the highest peak, Mt.

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Karisimbi (4,519 m/14,826 ft), is snowcapped. Lake Kivu, 1,460 m (4,790 ft) above sea level,
drains into Lake Tanganyika through the sharply descending Ruzizi River. The Kagera River,
which forms much of Rwanda's eastern border, flows into Lake Victoria (Carr, 1999).

IV. GEOLOGY AND ECONOMY OF RWANDA RELATIONSHIP

Rwandan economy depends on natural resources and environment and any activities leading to
natural resources loss and environmental pollution affect negatively the country’s economic
growth. For the last few decades, Rwanda has seen significant economic development; however,
the country’s high population density and its economy that draws heavily on natural resources
have put pressure on land, water and energy resources.

A significant portion of Rwanda's economy is based on mineral extraction. Rwanda is the

foremost producer of tungsten in Africa, producing 70 per cent of Africa's total output. Rwanda
is Africa's second highest producer of tin and coltan, accounting for 20 per cent and 30 per cent
of the country's output, respectively. Rwanda also produces 9 per cent of the world’s tantalum.

Rwanda produces gemstones. Even though a substantial portion of the country's economy is
based on mineral extraction, Rwanda has in the past shut down mineral extraction due to
environmental concerns (Schlüter and Thomas, 2008).

Prior to 2006, natural gas was extracted from Lake Kivu. A disagreement between the oil
company and the Government of Rwanda has suspended operations. In this region, reserves of
helium rich methane are estimated to be 56.65 billion m3. Although petroleum extraction occurs
in the country, it imports more than it exports.

The country entered a high period of economic growth in 2006, and the following year managed
to register 8 per cent economic growth, a record it has sustained since, turning it into one of the
fastest-growing economies in Africa. This sustained economic growth has succeeded in
reducing poverty and also reducing fertility rates, with growth between 2006 and 2011 reducing
the percentage of the country's population living in poverty from 57 per cent to 45 per cent. The
country's infrastructure has also grown rapidly, with connections to electricity going from 91,000
in 2006 to 215,000 in 2011. Existing foreign investment is concentrated in commercial
establishments, mining, tea, coffee, and tourism (Schlüter and Thomas, 2008).

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Rwanda's mining industry is an important contributor, generating US$93 million in
2008. Minerals mined include cassiterite, wolframite, sapphires, gold, and coltan, which are used
in the manufacture of electronic and communication devices such as mobile phones.

V. GEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT OF RWANDA RELATIONSHIP

The underground part of Rwanda contains important minerals such as cassiterite, coltan, wolfram
and gold. Additionally, Rwanda has other construction materials such as amphibilite, granites
and quartzite, volcanic rocks, clay, sand and gravel. Minerals are among activities that contribute
to the country development. [2]
Today a growing number of people are joining Mining Sector and many jobs have been created
locally. On one side, Mining contributes a lot in the Economic growth and on another side it can
also contributes to the Environment destruction. In order to define ways of adding values to our
environment and protection of people ,before starting activities that would result in
environmental degradation such as Mining investors should work under a basic EIA
(Environmental Impact Assessment) - A procedure that ensures that environmental consequences
of project are identified and assessed before Authorization is given.[2]
This approach is a way to direct Miners to evolve from illegal mining system that have
previously degraded Environment and help them to adopt legal mining system. In this way,
Rwanda miners will register increased mineral productivity and also immensely contribution to
the long term conservation of Environment for sustainable Development. [2]
To keep sustaining mining Industry and Environment protection the Rwanda Geology and
Mining Authority also encourages all people working in Mining Sector to give up the culture of
Mining in disorder and join Rwanda Mining Forum in order to be able to access more knowledge
on geological and mining issues and get loans that will facilitate their daily activities.

VI. TYPES OF ROCKS FOUND IN RWANDA

Metallogenic model: Rwanda is largely underlain by the Kibaran Orogeny rock system. This
Kibaran Orogeny consists dominantly of basement and Mezoproterozoic rocks that have been
intruded by different generations of granitic and mafic rocks. It forms a large metallogenic
province that contains numerous granite-related ore deposits, which are rich in mineral ores like
cassiterite (SnO2), niobotantalite (Nb, Ta) 2O5, wolframite (Fe, Mn), WO4, beryl, spodumene,

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amblygonite, monazite, gold (Au), etc. These minerals are present in different types of
mineralization. They occur as primary deposits or as alluvial or eluvial deposits (Chretien, 2003)

Wolframite: There are three (3) metallogenic tungsten districts in Rwanda; Central, Western
and Eastern tungsten belts. Mineralization is associated with quartz veins largely hosted in
graphitic shale. The mineralization is also structurally controlled.

Cassiterite: Major cassiterite deposits are associated with folded hydrothermal quartz veins,
largely within anticlinal structures. These quartz veins are associated with an intense alteration of
the host-rock leading to tourmalinisation, muscovitisation and kaolinisation. The mineralization
is associated with a later phase in the vein development and occurs in fractures filled with big
muscovite crystals. Relatively minor cassiterite mineralization is associated with pegmatites.

Niobotantalite: Colombo-tantalite mineralization is only found to be associated with pegmatite

veins. These pegmatite veins are currently targets of intense exploration for niobotantalite and
cassiterite ores.

Investment potential in the mining sector: The key minerals currently being mined and traded
in Rwanda are cassiterite (SnO2), wolframite (WO3), Colombo-tantalite (Ta2O5) and gold.
Other key minerals include ambrigonite, beryl and semi precious stones such as tourmaline,
topaz, corundum, chiastorite, amethyst, sapphires, opal, agate and flint. Construction materials
which can be used in their primary state or given a higher value are abundant. These include;
amphibolites, granites and quartzite, volcanic rocks, clay, sand and gravel. Industrial resources
such as dolomite, industrial sand (glass and foundry), kaolin for ceramic and paper, quartz and
feldspar exist in substantial amounts. Resources which can be used in soil upgrade for agriculture
include: travertine, peat and trachytes (Chretien, 2003).

VII. ROLE OF ROCKS FOUND IN RWANDA

Rwanda’s mineral resources include cassiterite, coltan, wolfram, Petroleum, peat, gold and
Nickel. In addition to this, the country has other precious stones such as amphibilite, granites,
quartzite, volcanic rocks, clay, sand and gravel as it has been mentioned in the above paragraphs.

Rwanda produces about 8,000 to 9,000 tons of mineral compounds every year and the amount of
money depends on the market dynamics. [3]

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The role of minerals (rocks) found in Rwanda can be summarized as follow; Peat: is mined in
the southwestern parts of the country and it is being used for electricity generation or processed
into an alternative for firewood. Gold: in 2008 the country got 5.55 million Mt at a grade of 1.48
g per Mt gold mined. Cassiterite: (tin ore) had the largest production and export volume at about
3,874 tons valued at USD42.2m in 2010. Coltan: with 749 tons in 2010 valued at USD18.48m.
Wolfram: (tungsten ore) with 843 tons in 2010 valued at USD7.1m. Tantalum: The country
[3]
produces about 9 per cent of the world’s tantalum which is used in electronics manufacturing.

VIII. CONCLUSION
Briefly, the geology of Rwanda has a positive impact on the development of the country due to
the big role it plays in the economy and the environment protection. And as we have discussed
about the types of rocks found in Rwanda and their roles, they also contribute to this, even if we
didn’t classify them in the general types of rocks. So we may conclude by saying that the
geology of Rwanda is one of the main objects in the development of the country.

IX. REFERENCES
[1]
1. : Mining in Rwanda, 2012 Edition, Volume: 1 (2012).
[2]
2. : Mining policy, MINIREMA, 2010.
[3]
3. : Rwanda mining extractive industries, source Book: Extractive industries.
4. Carr R. H. (1999). Land of thousand hills: My life in Rwanda. New York: Vikings.
5. Chretien J. P. (2003). The Great Lakes of Africa. Two Thousand years of History. New
York: Zone Books.
6. Rhodes F. and Perlman R. (2001). Geology: St Martin’s Press.
7. Schlüter and Thomas (2008). Geological Atlas of Africa: With Notes on Stratigraphy,
Tectonics, Economic Geology, Geohazards, Geosites and Geoscientific Education of
each country. Springer science & Business Media