The mining sector began its activities as early as the colonial era and developed gradually, especially around the 1980s thanks to various forms of cooperation. It was during this period that various indications of mineralization were discovered and some are currently being exploited by hand. Examples include gold, coltan, cassiterite and wolframite, which are exploited by artisans in the northern provinces of the country (Kirundo, Muyinga, Ngozi, Kayanza).

Other indications are still in the verification phase through mining and/or exploration work. Operating methods remain rudimentary so that environmental protection measures are not fully respected. For the energy sector, the country mainly uses electrical energy produced by the various hydroelectric power plants managed by REGIDESO. Other energy sources are in the process of being popularized (solar panels) and exploration (peat, wind, biomass, thermal energy, etc.).

Given its role in the use of natural resources, it is obvious that the energy and mining sector is an essential stakeholder in the management of biodiversity. Thus, considering the impacts that the sector's activities have on biodiversity, it is of paramount importance that it is strongly and effectively involved in its management. With this in mind, the Ministry of Energy and Mines has taken the option of developing a Sectoral Plan for the Integration of Biodiversity into its policies, strategies and programs.

This Sectoral Biodiversity Integration Plan of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) was developed as part of the draft revision of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity and Development of the 5th Country Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity under the funding of GEF/UNEP.

^{It is the result of a sectoral consultation workshop that took place from 28 February to 1 March 2013, which brought together MEM representatives to provide their inputs for the preparation of this document.}