Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has strongly warned against illegal mining activities, which increase the risk of fatality caused by disasters.

The call follows an accident that happened on May 18 involving an illegal miner who drowned as he tried to wash minerals he had unearthed illegally from a mine in Rutagara Cell, Muhanda Sector of Ngororero District.

The deceased, a 28 year old man, is said to have illegally mined cassetirite at night together with some colleagues; but as they tried to wash the minerals in a nearby stream, he drowned.

“They knew they were conducting an illegal activity, so they did not consider any safety measure while extracting minerals. It was very dark and they did not carry torches; so as they washed the minerals, one of them slid into the stream and drowned,” Inspector of Police Theobald Kanamugire, the Police Spokesperson for Western Region, said.

 “The concession that they mined from had been closed by government because it had failed an environment impact assessment, and residents in the area had been warned against collecting minerals from it.”

 IP Kanamugire noted that residents around mining concessions should avoid mining illegally to avoid such accidents and also called on mining companies and cooperatives to strictly provide protective gear to their miners whenever they are on duty.

 “Miners should wear protective gear at all times, including gas masks, gloves, boots, as well as ensure that the mines are not susceptible to landslides and other environment hazards,” he said.

 “Mining companies should also set up security at their concessions in order to prevent illegal mining, which is usually conducted at night, and also work with police to ensure that illegal miners are apprehended.”

 Article 438 of the Penal Code condemns illegal mining and unauthorized mineral exploration, with a term of imprisonment between six months and one year, plus a fine between Rwf3 million and Rwf10 million or one of these penalties.