Programme
MC: Ms. Jacky Lumbasi
Morning Session - Conference Opening
08:00 - 9:50
Arrival & Networking Coffee
11:00
Arrival of the Guest of Honour
11:00 - 11:10
Ballet Performance
11:10 - 11:15
Welcoming Remarks
11:15 - 11:20
Documentary on The history of mining in Rwanda
11:20 - 11:25
Remarks
11:25 - 11:30
Keynote Address: Africa at the heart of the global Energy & Tech Transition
11:30 - 11:40
Official Photo & Group Session
11:40 - 12:10
Exhibition Launch & Tour
12:10 - 12:55
Panel: Critical Minerals: Powering AI, Aerospace & clean energy
Explore how critical minerals are powering the world's most advanced technologies - driving artificial intelligence, enabling aerospace innovation, and supercharging the global shift to clean energy. The panel also examines how this positions Africa at the centre of global technological transformation.
- Samuel Wagstaff, Aluminium Process and Product Consultant, Oculatus Consulting, USA
- Dr. Anatoly Agulyansky, Chief Scientist, PRIZ Guru Inc., USA
- Yves Mujyambere, Chief Innovation Officer, QT, Rwanda
- Prof. Wilfred Ndifon, President, AIMS Research and Innovation Centre
12:55 - 14:30
Networking Lunch
Afternoon Session
14:30 - 15:10
Mines of Tomorrow: Robotics for smart mining
Explore how cutting-edge technologies are transforming the mining industry to improve precision and safety essential for efficiency and sustainability.
- Kelvin Rwihimba, CEO, MineTech
- Benjamin Karenzi, CEO, Zora Robotics
- Ray Power, CEO, PRI
15:10 - 16:00
Presentation: East Africa's Edge: Critical minerals for a tech-driven world
Explore how resources such as tantalum, tin, tungsten, lithium, and rare earth elements could make the region a key player in the global race for innovation, while highlighting opportunities for responsible, sustainable, and tech-driven mining that benefits both local economies and global industries.
- Prof. Stanislaw Wokowicz, Polish Geological Institute
- Mr. Justin Uwiringiyimana, Senior Geologist, Rwanda
16:00 - 18:00
Exhibition & Networking coffee chat
18:00 - 20:00
Gala Dinner - Investing in the Future of Mining
MC: Ms. Fiona Muthoni Naringwa
Part One: Mining & Exploration
09:00 - 10:00
Arrival & Networking Coffee
10:00 - 10:10
Welcoming Remarks
10:10 - 10:20
Launch: Rwanda Mining Investment Pitchbook
10:20 - 11:10
Interactive: Inside Rwanda's Exploration Landscape: From Geology to Investment
Explore Rwanda's mineral exploration potential, providing insights into the country's geological context, licensing processes, and emerging investment opportunities.
- Barbara Akaliza, RMB
- Josiane Nsanza, RMA
- Ken Taiton, Rio Tinto
- Michelle Umurungi, RDB
11:10 - 12:00
Panel: Lithium & Beyond: Rwanda's Critical Minerals Advantage
- Vasilii Savin, RMB
- Simon Rollason, Aterian PLC
- Shane Ryan, COO, Trinity Metals
12:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
Part Two: Minerals Recycling & Oil and Gas
14:00 - 14:30
Panel: Circular Economy for Minerals: Mining After-Use
Explore the innovation required in urban mining (recycling of e-waste and industrial by-products) and how design-for-disassembly principles can reduce reliance on virgin materials for optimising secondary resources recovery.
- Ignacio Laiseca, CEO, Golden Tree
- Schmitz Andre, Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
- Evode Imena, General Manager, GAMICO
14:30 - 15:00
Unlocking hydrocarbon potential: The Lake Kivu Basin
15:00 - 18:00
Exhibition Tour
Field & Skills Development
Note: Mining Week participants may choose from the following four field visits:
Option 1: University Visit - Future-Ready Geoscience: Research & Innovation Labs
Laboratory Visit: Guided tour of the University of Rwanda's school of mining and geology's advanced mining and geology laboratory, featuring new high-tech equipment (XRF, XRD, ICP-OES, Geode exploration seismograph, DGPS, UV spectrometer, magnetometer, etc.) aimed at fostering research collaboration, consultancy opportunities, and industry partnerships.
Poster Presentations: Five student projects on mineral exploration, environment, drilling innovation, and critical minerals.
Session 1: Welcome speeches and introduction to eighth edition Rwanda Mining Week, 2025
09:00 - 09:30
Arrival of all students and SMG staff
09:30 - 09:40
Arrival of all invited guests
09:40 - 09:50
Opening ceremony of SMG program and give a warm welcome to attendees
09:50 - 10:00
Introducing the invited guests
10:00 - 10:10
Welcome Speech
10:10 - 10:20
Welcome Speech by Principal
10:20 - 10:50
Mineral Processing: A contemporary review
Session 2: Complex laboratory tour visit and Poster presentation
10:50 - 11:00
Geophysics Lab
11:00 - 11:10
Rock Coring, Cutting and Polishing Lab
11:10 - 11:20
Instrumental Analysis Lab
11:20 - 11:30
Mapping Drawing and Microscopy Lab
11:30 - 11:40
Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Lab
11:40 - 11:50
Rock Mechanics Lab
12:00 - 12:10
Computer Lab
Session 3: Key messages
12:10 - 12:25
Publish the SMG Magazine 2025
12:25 - 12:40
Development and Future plan of SMG by the Dean of SMG
12:40 - 12:45
Remarks by CEO/RMB
12:45 - 01:00
Remarks by VC
Group Photo
Option 2: REMCO (Masoro Industrial Zone, Kigali)
Building the tools for modern mining
A visit to REMCO, a key manufacturer of mining equipment that supports the sector's mechanization and modernization efforts.
Option 3: GAMICO (Kigali, Nyarugenge)
Semi-mechanized mining & ESG in Action
An on-site experience at Rwanda's leading semi-mechanised tin mine, where modern mining techniques are integrated with strong ESG practices.
Option 4: LUNA Smelter
Value Addition for Global Tech Markets
A tour of a state-of-the-art value addition facility that is the first modern tin smelter in East and Central Africa, producing high-quality, conflict-free tin for global markets. Visitors will learn how the smelter applies international standards, advanced metallurgy, and sustainable practices to refine local minerals into products that power today's technologies—ranging from electronics and AI hardware to clean energy solutions.
REWU Graduation
Skills for the Future: Recognizing Miners' Experience
Program – Graduation of 2,150 Mine Workers
08:00 - 09:30
Arrival of Mining Football teams and fans at IPRC Kigali STADIUM (3,000 persons)
Arrival and registration of Graduates at Stadium & Entertainment
09:30 - 10:00
Arrival of the Guests
10:00 - 12:00
Final Football match
12:00 - 12:45
Entertainment
12:45 - 13:00
Arrival Of Guest Honor
13:00 - 13:10
Welcome Remarks
13:10 - 13:20
Welcome Remarks
13:20 - 13:30
Opening Remarks
13:30 - 13:50
Awarding 2150 RPL Graduates
13:50 - 14:00
Speech Remarks
14:00 - 14:20
Entertainment
14:20 - 14:30
Speech Remarks
14:30 - 14:40
Speech Remarks
14:40 - 15:00
Awarding the winner of Mining Football Tournament & Recognition of Mining Companies
15:00 - 15:20
Entertainment
15:20
Closing Remarks
Group Photo
Part One: Model Mines
MC: Patrick Ntalindwa
09:00 - 10:00
Arrival & Networking Coffee
10:00 - 12:00
Interactive session: Model Mines: Raising the bar for safety, ESG & Modernisation
An interactive session bringing together mining companies, government representatives, and stakeholders to share practical experiences and best practices in advancing Rwanda's "Model Mine" vision. The discussion will focus on lessons learned in safety, productivity, modernization, and ESG compliance, while exploring how collaboration can raise the overall standard of mining operations in the country.
- Ernest Nsanzineza, MD, RETC
- David Rusizana, Consultant, GAMICO
- Confiance Juliette Kabatesi, Group Laboratory Manager / Trinity Metals Group
- Representative from RMB
12:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
14:00 - onwards
Exhibition Tour & Networking
Part Two: Closing Ceremony of Mining Week 2025
MC: Patrick Ntalindwa
16:00 - 16:30
Arrival of Participants & Guests
16:30 - 17:20
Panel: Green Capital: Financing Responsible Mining in Africa
Explore how sustainable finance and innovative investment models can drive a responsible and resilient mining sector across Africa. With global demand for critical minerals rising, capital flows and ESG standards are getting aligned to ensure that growth does not come at the expense of communities or ecosystems.
- Manasse Nshimiyimana, Consultant, FONERWA, Rwanda
- Fidel Ruzigandekwe, Expert, RAPEP, Rwanda
- Dzapasi Mashizha, Expert, RMB, Rwanda
17:20 - 17:25
Remarks
17:25 - 17:30
Remarks
17:30 - 17:35
Closing Remarks
17:35 - 18:00
Certificate Awards and Sponsor Recognition
18:00 - 21:00
Cocktail Reception