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Kinyarwanda
Rwanda Ntional Police has warned the public against acts of environment degradation involve illegal mining and deforestation which has negatively impacted the community.
The warning comes in a wake of cases of illegal mining in Gishwati forest that has resulted to deforestation at a time when Rwanda is restoring the forest.
Last week, Police in Ngororero District impounded a truck that was found transporting one ton of Amethyst stones that had been illegally mined from Gushwati forest.
Amethyst is a bright shining purple stone that is often used in pricey jewelry. Although the mineral is found in Gishwati Forest, miners have been extracting it illegally.
According to the Western Region Police Spokesperson, IP Theobald Kanamugire, the intercepted truck has all the documents authorizing it to transport minerals but the consignment it carried had been obtained illegally.
“The truck is currently impounded at Ngororero police station; those that had rented it had bought Amethyst to illegal miners. Mining is one of the major revenue generator for Rwanda, it’s the kind of business that has to be done in a clean manner and by authorized personnel,” he said.
Kanamugire add on that mining is regulated to ensure standards and environmental protection. Rwanda suspended mining in Gishwati to first restore a nearly extinct forest.
“Also, authorized miners should be environmental conscious; they should do it in a legal maner and always plant trees where they’ve cut them down. We also call on the public to always report to us any illegal mining since such malpractices are usually the result of concession accidents,” said the spokesperson.
Article 438 of the penal code, stipulates that; “Any person who undertakes illegal research or illegally carries out commercial activities in valuable minerals, shall be liable to imprisonment of six months to one year and a fine of up to Rwf 10 million.”
