Towards a holistic understanding of artisanal aggregate mining in Rwanda

Abstract

Sand, gravel and crushed stones are the most mined solid materials on Earth and key ingredients in infrastructure development and modern societies. However, the pressure from the growing population for constructing new buildings and expanding living spaces has resulted in an increased demand for these resources, especially in the Global South. For instance, Africa's population is expected to grow from 1 to 2.4 billion in 2050 which would increase the pressure on these limited resources. Present knowledge of aggregate mining is largely limited to the negative effects of the extraction and lacks a nuanced understanding of the benefits to humans and society that the resources also provide. This article examines the variation in present-day aggregate extraction activities in the context of Rwanda, a country in East Africa that has experienced a significant infrastructure development in the last decades. Here we provide an overview of present-day aggregate mining activities across Rwanda to offer more nuances and details on the processes of mining operations to the present discussion. Going forward, the research community must, in a more holistic view, consider the intricate character of these practices and their impacts on economic development and how these resources offer a potential to alleviate poverty and develop countries.