Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has called upon the general public and those in mineral mining business in particular to take precaution to prevent disasters and loss of lives especially in this rainy season.

The force also warned against illegal mining activities, which are said to be major causes of disasters in mining concessions.

The call follows an incident in Nyamasheke District last Friday when two people who were mining illegally in a concession located in Busheki Sector, were killed by a cliff.

Police spokesperson for the Western region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira identified the deceased as Claver Nizeyimana, 37, and Augustin Uzabiriza, both residents of Buvungi Cell.

The closed site was previously used by General Mining Company in its research on gold in Rwanda.

“Investigations indicate that the victims entered into the concession at about 4pm, looking for gold, leaving their four colleagues behind. They tempered with the weak part of the concession that was holding the cliff, which caused landslides,” CIP Gasasira said.

“This is an unfortunate case, but avoidable. Mining should be carried out by only professionals and at the right time. Conducting any business related to minerals or mining without authorization is unlawful and punishable by the law, but also risky and deadly when you enter in the concession at night or when you don’t know its status.”

“We are now in the rainy season, the soils are weak and any slight mistake you are likely to cause landslides and the consequences are severe. We urge owners of concessions to take security precautions of their sites, but also warned the general public against such malpractices to prevent loss of lives,” the spokesperson said.