Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) and local authorities in the Southern Province have increased operations against illegal mining related trade.

At least 51 people were arrested in operations conducted on Tuesday, November 4. Police and local leaders also seized about 700kgs of minerals from the suspects.

These continuous operations target illegal miners and illegal mineral traders, who are among those arrested.

"Due to increasing illegal mining activities and related trade in the Southern Province, Police and local leaders have started operations targeting all people involved. As such, 51 people were arrested on Tuesday. They include 25 arrested in Muhanga district, 17 in Kamonyi district and 9 others in Ruhango district. They were found in possession of combined 700kgs of cassiterite, lithium and coltan," the RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga, said.

Also seized include a generator, weighing scales and traditional tools, which they were using in illegal mining.

"These illegal mining activities have in some cases resulted into loss of lives, destruction of gardens and the environment.

Rwanda National Police commends members of the public, who facilitated these successful operations and calls for continued swift information sharing." 

Article 63 of Law n° 072/2024 of 26/06/2024 on mining and quarry operations, stipulates that "a person, who undertakes mineral operations without a licence, commits an offence."

Upon conviction, he or she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years but not more than five years and a fine of not less than Frw25 million but not more than Frw50 million or one of these penalties.

In case the court convicts a suspect of an offence provided for in this Article, the court also orders;

(a) confiscation of any seized minerals and handing them over to the competent organ with a view of selling them by auction; 

(b) reinstatement of sites affected by mining operations; 

(c) rehabilitation or compensation of damaged infrastructures; or 

(d) rehabilitation or compensation of community property.