KIGALI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- About 120 Chinese experts will join a China-supported geological survey and mineral resource assessment project for Rwanda in the next three years and the first batch has started working in the central African country recently.

The project includes geological interpretation of satellite remote sensing and geochemical mapping across Rwanda, national resource potential quantitative assessment, geological survey and mineral resource assessment, technical training in geological survey technology and etc, Liu Xiaoyang, one of the experts, told guests on Friday at their welcome reception hosted here by the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda.

Through the project the existing geological and mineral information of Rwanda will be highly integrated, while Rwanda's geological work and geological survey capacity will be improved, thus promoting the development of Rwanda's mining industry, he said.

This project is very important to Rwanda in many aspects, which will help Rwanda know its potential mineral resources and how it can leverage them for transforming economy, said Francis Gatare, chief executive officer at the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board.

Young Rwandan geoscientists will be able to learn from the Chinese experts, especially the new technologies, said Gatare, adding that the project will also contribute to increasing the efficiency of managing, regulating and supporting Rwanda's mining sector.

The cabinet member also expected the outcome of the project will help attract Chinese investors to invest in Rwanda's mining sector.

China, a leading producer of mineral resources and a major player in the global mining market, has willingness and capacity to make contributions to Rwanda's mining sector, as it is going through a critical transition from the small-scale exploitation with limited links to the rest of the economy to a major pillar of national industrialization, said Rao Hongwei, Chinese ambassador to Rwanda.

China has also invited more than 40 Rwandan officials and technicians to attend training seminars and courses on geological survey and mineral resource management during the past years, said Rao, noting that Rwanda's mining industry will reach a new high through the above interaction.

At the reception, Rao also presented a 3D map of Rwanda topography and geology as well as series of Rwandan geological, geophysical and geochemical maps as gifts to the Rwandan side. Enditem

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