Rwanda National Police

Mining companies in Rutsiro District have been called upon to assess their concessions to prevent likely disasters at times caused by lack of precautionary measures and negligence.

The call follows an incident on Thursday when a coltan concession located in Ruganda Village, Mberi Cell of Rutebeya Sector, collapsed.

Police and other security organs alongside residents worked together to rescue eight miners that had been trapped inside. At least two others died. The concession is owned by RETC Limited.

Senior Supt. Paul Butera, the District Police Commander (DPC) of Rutsiro reminded owners of mining concessions to take precautionary measures to prevent any acts that put the lives of their employees at risk.

“The safety of employees should come first, and this requires continuous assessment of their concessions and manning their sites against illegal mining, which is one of the causes of disasters,” SSP Butera said.

Rutsiro is one of the districts with many mining concessions, especially in the sectors of Rusebeya, Manihira and Murunda, where illegal mining is also considered to be still high. Cassiterite and coltan are the main minerals found in Rutsiro.

“It would be suicide to enter in a concession when you don’t know its status especially in this rainy season, which weakens the soils and likely to cause landslides,” the DPC said.

“We had information from members of the public that there are some people behind this illegal act of mining; they send others to go in mining concessions especially at night and in turn buy these minerals from them. Some of these people have been arrested, and operations against such illegal and dangerous activities are continuous,” he added.

According to the DPC, they are working with local authorities to meet all companies with mining concessions in Rutsiro and inspect all concessions.

“This is meant to emphasis the issue of safety; if a concession is found to be involved in any illegal acts or in a state that put lives of their employees at risk, mining activities at that specific site will be suspended until the highlighted safety concerns are addressed.”

Mining, he emphasised, has its procedures and laws that have to be followed; mining and selling minerals is done by licenced companies and people.