English
Kinyarwanda
The Rwanda National Police (RNP) appeals to the general population to desist and fight illegal mining activities.
The act is both a crime and puts those involved at risk.
The call follows a number of cases where illegal mining activities have turned disastrous and some individuals have been killed by unsupported and weak cliffs in closed or deserted mining sites.
The most recent incident happened on August 4 in Nyanza District where a man died when a cliff of the mining site in Nyagisozi Sector, curved in.
The deceased was together with four others, mining illegally at night in a tin concession owned by HIVILLA Mining Company.
Four others survived with injuries after Police and residents rescued them and are currently admitted at Mweya Health Centre.
Chief superintendent Hubert Gashagaza, the Southern region Police Spokesperson reminded the public that illegal mining is a criminal act that is punishable by the Rwandan laws.
"Besides that, illegal mining poses a real big threat to lives because these people go in without protective gears, they don't know the status of the site," CSP Gashagaza said.
He appealed to residents to avail timely information on people suspected to be involved in these unlawful activities to prevent likely loss of lives and combat illegal mineral business, which also has an impact on the country's economy.
CSP Gashagaza called upon residents particularly the youth to avoid engaging in any type of illegal business but instead form cooperatives and find ways of securing small loans to do small income generating businesses.
Illegal mining is punishable under article 438 of the Rwandan Penal Code, which attracts a jail term of one year in prison and a fine between Rwf3million and Rwf10million.
