Rwanda National Police

Strengthened security operations against illegal mining activities in Rutsiro District, arrested three people on Sunday.

They were caught in the act in Rusebeya Sector, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, Police spokesperson for the Western region, said.

He identified the suspects as Silas Barihonga, 64, Cyprien Habinshuti, 25 and Damascene Uwihoreye, 40.

“The operation was conducted on Sunday morning by the Rwanda National Police Mobile station alongside Rusebeya Police station and local leaders in the sector, after residents called in to report people, who were digging their fields that very morning in Kabona Cell looking for minerals,” CIP Gasasira said.

Rutsiro is mainly rich in cassiterite and coltan, which found in almost all its 13 sectors.

According to Gasasira, the increased operations are meant to fight illegal mining activities, unlawful trade in minerals and to prevent disasters and lose of lives that result from such illegal acts.

Last week, a mine collapse in the same district left two people dead although eight others were rescued alive.

CIP Gasasira said that some people enter into concessions at night and others just go in people’s fields and start digging looking for minerals.

He said that the “operations are continuous” and called upon the residents to continue providing information about people engaged in such unlawful and risky activities.