Rwanda

• Country profile
• Permits
• Exploration programme
• Exploration results

Permits

TransAfrika has two exploration permits that cover an area of approximately 114 500ha in the central portion of the Great Lakes Mineral Province. Most of Rwanda is considered to be part of the cassiterite (tin) domain but there are two gold domains, one in the north and another in the south-west of the country. TransAfrika has two permit areas within each of these provinces.

A number of artisanal miners are exploiting gold in alluvial workings on the Nyamugali Concession. In addition, historic records show a number of artisanal workings that are now defunct. The area is unexplored for in situ gold deposits.

The topography of both permit areas is characterised by rugged hills with flat ground in some of the valleys. Valley sides can be very steep, especially in the south-western permit area. The elevation ranges from 1 000m to 2 000m. The permit areas have alluvial workings for gold mined by artisanal miners. While geological data is limited, gold occurrences were documented during regional surveys prior to independence and more recently by Bureau de Recherches Géologique et Minières (BRGM) and the United Nations.

No known exploration campaigns had previously targeted either of TransAfrika’s permit areas for commercial deposits of gold. What was known of the geology and mineral occurrences was discovered and described by regional surveys conducted by governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the Bureau de recherché geologique et minieres ("BRGM") and the United Nations.

Initial airborne reconnaissance confirmed several large artisanal workings on the two properties. These workings were mostly alluvial. Several small workings along rivers were also noted. On the northern permit, possible in situ hard-rock workings were also identified and an attempt at small-scale open pitting was discovered. The airborne reconnaissance was concluded with the selection of two primary targets for initial exploration to be followed up with geological mapping, soil sampling and trenching. The result of this activity provided the basis for drill site location.

TransAfrika started an intensive drilling programme of the targeted areas in August 2008. By means of extensive drilling, TransAfrika has been able to define 257,000 ounces of SAMREC Code gold resource.