Rwanda National Police

Police in Muhanga District has appealed to residents to desist from illegal mining acts, which in some cases result into disasters, loss of lives and affects the environment.

The call was made on February 6, by the Southern region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, who noted that the majority of disasters and loss of lives in mining concessions are linked to illegal mining acts.

The call follows the arrest of two illegal miners identified as Uwamahoro Rukundo Anasthase, 29, and Zigirinshuti Celestin, 39, who almost lost their lives while mining illegally in a closed concession located in Nyamabuye Sector, Ngaru cell in Gitega village.

The duo was rescued later in partnership with local residents.

"This concession which previously belonged to SOREM mining company, was closed for security purposes and its negative effects on the environment. We remind people that it is suicide the go into this specific concession but also punishable by law to do anything related to mineral business if you are not authorized to do so," CIP Twajamahoro said.

Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a license commits an offense

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.