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Kinyarwanda
Police in Ngororero District, on Friday, arrested two men in connection with illegal possession of minerals.
Theophile Ntawukuriryayo and Theophile Ahashakiye were at the time of their arrest found with 47 kilograms of coltan and cassitterite, combined.
The case has been handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Gatumba station, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said.
According to CIP Gasasira, the minerals were mined illegally in Gatumba Sector of Ngororero.
“The operation was conducted after residents told the Police that they suspected the duo to be involved in unlawful mining activities and trade in minerals,” said CIP Gasasira.
He hailed residents for their “improved participation and information sharing against illegal mining activities."
“Trade in minerals is done by authorized dealers, and minerals are supposed to be tagged before they are transported by a licensed dealer," CIP Gasasira said, warning of "increased operations against such illegal activities."
Article 1 of the Ministerial Regulations No 001/Minifom/2011 relating to fighting smuggling in mineral trading stipulates that nobody is allowed to purchase or sell minerals without commercial registration.
Article 4 of the same instrument indicates that transportation of minerals outside mining licensed areas (concessions and permits perimeters) is only allowed, when the consignment shows the source mine, its value and when it has the right tag.
Such operation also target even licensed mining firms that do not adhere to the environmental standards; unauthorized individuals who engage in mining especially at night, and even unlicensed people, who buy minerals from concessions.
Illegal mining activities have on some occasions resulted into disasters and loss of lives, and Gasasira said that fighting illegal mining is also part of the efforts to save lives.
