Mining industry of Burundi
National gold production increased to 3,905 kg in 2005 from 3,229 kg in 2004 increasing dramatically from just 415 kg in 2001 because of higher gold prices. Gold reportedly accounted for more than 90% of the value of Burundi’s total mineral production in 2005. Machanga Ltd. of Uganda and more recently the Burundi Mining Corporation were responsible for mining much of the country's primary gold reserves which are concentrated in Muyinga Province in the north-east of the country.[3]
Small quantities of tungsten and tin but only account for 3% of Burundi's total mineral production according to the Burundi Ministry of Energy and Mines[3] The Office National de la Tourbe a branch of the government is responsible for peat production which is extracted notably in the Akanyara Valley near Buyongwe and in 2005 unmined resources of peat were stated by the Burundian government to total around 36 million metric tons.
However Burundi has no resources of coal, natural gas, or petroleum meaning that electricity production in the country was very problematic. Hydroelectric power stations now account for most of the country’s electricity production as they do not have the natural reserves to produce it.[4]
References
- ^ USGS Report 2005
- ^ International Monetary Fund report (2006), p. 80
- ^ a b c Riragonya, Damien, Director General of Geology and Mines, Burundi Ministry of Energy and Mines, June 26, 2006.
- ^ International Monetary Fund report, 2006, p. 90