Poland-Rwanda cooperation drives the critical raw materials sector

The Polish delegation also visited the LuNa Smelter tin smelter, a strategic Polish-Rwandan investment in Kigali. It is an exemplary example of a sustainable, modern project that strengthens the raw material security of Poland and Europe with respect for local communities.

Inauguration ceremony of PanAfGeo+

The Chairman of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, Andrzej Dycha, and Poland’s Chief Geologist, Krzysztof Galos, took part in the ceremonial inauguration of the PanAfGeo+ Country Window Rwanda project, organized with the participation of the Rwandan Geological Administration, the European Union and European Geological Surveys.

Cooperation between Polish and EU countries with partners in Africa is aimed at strengthening the raw material security of Polish and European companies and providing them with access to key minerals necessary for the economy and industry. Poland brings many years of engineering experience, modern technologies and strong research and development facilities to this cooperation, while Rwanda has a significant potential of natural resources and a dynamically developing mining sector.

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, as well as Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), the BRGM programme coordinator, the EU Delegation, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the National Geological Institute - NRI.

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding

A key element of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the RMB and the PGI-NRI, which strengthens cooperation between the geological services of both countries and confirms Poland’s key role as a scientific and technical partner of PanAfGeo+ in Rwanda.

During the thematic sessions, the following among others were discussed:

• monitoring of geological hazards,
• assessment of seismic activity,
• management of post-mining waste and the challenges of artisanal mining,
• development of competences of geological institutions.

Polish-Rwandan tin smelter

A particularly important point was a visit to the Polish tin smelter LuNa Smelter in Kigali - an investment that has become a symbol of responsible and modern economic cooperation between Poland and Rwanda.

LuNa Smelter produces high-quality tin in a conflict-free standard, with full traceability of the source of the raw material, uses "zero waste" technology, closed water cycle and renewable energy. Thanks to the investment, Poland and Rwanda jointly led to the restructuring of the plant, and today it is the largest tin processor in Central and East Africa.

The smelter is currently in the process of increasing its production capacity from 2,400 to 3,800 tons of cassiterite per year, which means a 60 percent increase in processing capacity and an increase in employment by about 50 people.

This is a project of strategic importance - both economically and for the State. LuNa Smelter shows that Polish companies are able to implement ambitious, long-term and responsible investments in international markets. We combine economic development with respect for the environment and local values. This is a direction that we, as a state, consistently support - emphasizes Andrzej Dycha, PAIH’s Chairman.

Significance for Poland and Europe

Rwanda's critical raw materials deposits are an important addition to the raw material base for Poland and the EU.

Thanks to them, we gain real security for Polish companies - adds Dycha.

The visit to Rwanda was combined with an economic mission in Uganda and is part of a series of intensive activities by PAIH to ensure stable access to strategic minerals for Polish companies. In recent months, the agency has carried out missions in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal, gradually strengthening Poland's position on the African commodity markets.

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