Rwanda National Police

Police has urged the general public to report people conducting illegal mining activities.

This, the force says, is intended by to implement the law on mining but also to prevent disasters causing lifetime injuries and loss of lives that arise out of such illegal activities especially conducted in the night.

 The latest of such disasters happened on Thursday in Ngororero District where a man died instantly after he was hit by a cliff in a concession where he was mining illegally.

Police identified the deceased as 26-year old Jean de Dieu Nsegimana of Ruhuha Village, Kibanda Cell in Ndaro Sector.

Police spokesperson for the Western region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, said the deceased had entered the concession at about 7:30pm.

“The incident was reported by residents who saw him entering the concession,” Gasasira said. “The case been taken up by Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB).”

“Apart from this being illegal and suspects facing possible arrest, there are potential hazards and life-threatening situations often associated with these activities. People should, therefore, stop this tendency,” he emphasised.

He appealed for information sharing with security organs and other concerned authorizes on illegal miners.