Rwanda National Police

Strengthened Police operations against illegal mining and mineral trade led to the arrest of at least 21 people in different parts of the country.

The separate operations were conducted on Thursday and Friday in the districts of Gakenke, Nyarugenge, Kamonyi, and Rwamagana.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned that the increased and continuous operations are meant to "fight illegal mining, transportation and trade, and prevent loss of lives that comes with illegal mining activities mainly carried out at night or in closed and risky concessions."

“On Thursday, 16 people were arrested in Gakenke district in a closed mining site, which is currently under research. They were found with expired mining documents,” said CP Kabera.

He added that two other women identified as Valerie Mukandamutsa and Petronille Uzayisenga were also arrested in Kamonyi in Bugoba mining site located in Rukoma Sector.

In Rwamagana, a vehicle plate number RAB 284R driven by one Theoneste Habimana, was intercepted at a Police checkpoint transporting six sacks of cassiterite minerals. It was headed to Kigali from Kayonza District, from where the smuggled minerals were loaded.

Habimana was arrested alongside one Ben Ruganji, the alleged owner of the minerals, who was moving on a motorcycle behind the vehicle.


In a similar operation, Police in Kigali also intercepted a taxi-moto operator identified as Ildephonse Harimunda, 37, who was also transporting 80kgs of cassiterite on a motorcycle RD 131P.

Harimunda was transporting the minerals from Kayenzi sector in Kamonyi. It is said that the minerals were to be delivered to another illegal dealer in Gikondo of Kicukiro District before he was intercepted by the law enforcement organs in Nyarugenge District.

While thanking those who provide information on such "unlawful acts of smuggling, fraud and tax evasion", CP Kabera reminded owners of operational concessions to increase the security of their sites in order to counter illegal mining activities as well as preventing illegal trade and transportation.

He also asked communities residing near closed concessions to take charge and report those conducting such illegal and dangerous mining activities.

"Mining is not something that is practiced by anyone; it requires licensing, specialized equipment, skills and knowledge. If it is done wrongly, a lot is at risk including people’s lives. Transportation or trade which doesn't put into consideration the legal process also amounts to smuggling and tax evasion, which is punishable by law," he warned.

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.