Rwanda National Police

On Friday, December, 24, Rwanda National Police (RNP) arrested two people in Rwamagana District for allegedly sneaking into a mining concession and stealing minerals.

Niyitanga Habarugira, 26 and Eric Nsengimana, 32, were arrested in a concession owned by PIRAN mining company located in Budahigwa Village, Akabare Cell of Musha Sector.

The Eastern region Police spokesperson,  Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamduni Twizeyimana said that the suspect were arrested due to the information provided by security guards protecting the concession.

"The suspects entered the concession at night, but the security guards saw them and called the Police. They were arrested in the concession with traditional tools which they were using to excavate the minerals," CIP Twizeyimana said.

CIP Twizeyimana reminded that mineral exploitation and trade requires related licence and professionalism due to associated risks including loss of lives.

The suspects were handed over to RIB at Musha station for further legal process.

Article 54 of the law N? 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 on mining and quarry operations, states that; any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence, 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 Frw1 million and not more than Frw5 million or only one of these penalties.

The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.