Rwanda National Police

Separate but targeted police operations in Gasabo and Gakenke Districts on April 22, have led to the recovery of over 700 kilograms of minerals that mysteriously went missing from mining concessions in Rulindo and Gasabo.

In Gakenke District Police recovered 669 kilograms of Wolfram recently stolen from Gifurwe Mining and Processing Ltd.

Police said Investigators apprehended Evariste Nsengiyumva 34, who was intercepted at   Rwata Village, Rukore cell in Kamubuga Sector riding on a motorcycle with the mineral.

The suspect who is currently detained at Rusarabuye Police Station failed to justify legal possession of the mineral.

Reports indicate that Gifurwe Mining and Processing Ltd filed a complaint about the mysterious disappearance of its minerals; this prompted police operation that led to the arrest of Nsengiyumva.

The minerals have since been returned to Gifurwe Mining and Processing Ltd, after establishing ownership.

According to the Northern Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana; “Operations against mineral theft have intensified and all reaping results since they have all been recovered and returned to the rightful owners.”

Wolfram (FeMnWO3), is highly valued as the main source of the metal tungsten, a strong and quite dense material with a high melting temperature used for electric filaments and armor-piercing ammunition

 In a similar development police apprehended Jean de Dieu Maniraguha 38, another only identified as  Ndacyayisenga in illegal  possession of 58 kilograms of  cassiterite and 30 kilograms of  respectively.

 The two were arrested during a heightened crackdown in Kabuga cell in Masoro sector while trying to transport the minerals to yet to be indentified location.

“Yes we have them in our custody at Murambi Police station as RIB investigators continue to thoroughly examine the theft,” CIP Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Central Region, said.

He said the minerals are understood to have been stolen from Rutongo mine concession following a similar complaint that corresponds with the recovered minerals.

Cassiterite, a tin oxide mineral (SnO2) is the main ore of tin today used to produce tin cans for food containers, solder and polishing compounds.

Theft is punishable with a prison term of up to two years and “a fine of two to five times the value of the stolen property or one of these penalties,” according to article 300 of the penal code