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Communities residing near mining concessions in Ruhango District have been warned against illegal mining activities and urged to cooperate with the Police by reporting those involved.
The caution comes after three men were arrested Friday in unlawful mining activities in a closed concession located in Kinihira sector, Gitinda cell.
The coltan concession was closed over safety and environmental related concerns.
Those arrested are Jean Baptiste Kubwimana, 30, Elysé Hakizimana, 20 and Rongin Manirareba, 23.
The Police spokesperson for the Southern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro said the trio was caught mining at night.
"The owner of the land called the Police that night reporting people conducting illegal mining in his farm. Police officers were immediately deployed, they arrested the three people in the act," CIP Twajamahoro said.
"The site where they were found under darkness was in a sorry state and risky to one's life. Their activities were also affecting the environment in the area. At any moment, cliffs could carve-in and bury them inside."
He warned the locals against unlawful and life threatening practices.
Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a license commits an offence
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties."
