Kigali, May 14, 2024 – CEO Francis Kamanzi welcomed Julianna Lindsey, the Country Representative of UNICEF to Rwanda. Their discussions focused on enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the mining sector, specifically, the nationwide rollout of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers at mining sites. These centers aim to create a child-friendly work environment that supports nursing mothers and offers integrated ECD services.

Julianna Lindsey expressed her appreciation for CEO Francis’s commitment to Early Childhood Development on her X account, stating that she looks forward to seeing more mining companies provide ECD and other family-friendly services

CEO Francis is dedicated to making mining more beneficial for the communities and the country. This effort is part of the Government of Rwanda’s (GoR) revenue-sharing scheme, which ensures that revenues generated from mining activities contribute to the socio-economic transformation of mining-host communities.

In recent years, several mining companies have established ECD centers at their sites. Examples include Gifurwe Wolfram Mining Company and New Bugarama Mining Ltd in Burera District, as well as Rutongo Mines and Nyakabingo Mine Ltd in Rulindo District.

The first ECD center at a mining site was opened on March 25, 2022, at Gifurwe Wolfram Mining and Processing Limited and New Bugarama Mining Company in Burera District, Northern Rwanda. The launch followed the completion of a pilot phase aimed at promoting child-friendly workspaces and integrated ECD services within mining companies.