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Rwanda National Police

Service - Protection - Integrity

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KAMONYI: Two arrested over illegal mining

Mining and related trade is regulated and conducted only by those authorized or licensed to do so.

This is done, among others, to prevent fraud, smuggling, fight environmental degradation acts like deforestation and erosion; prevent health hazards as well as disasters such as landslides and loss of lives.

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.

In different parts of the country, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has continued to fight these unlawful practices.

In an operation conducted on Saturday, March 18, Police arrested two people, who were conducting illegal mining in a cassiterite concession located in Gatwa village, Kazirabonde cell, Rukoma sector of Kamonyi District.

"The two suspects are among many that have been arrested in illegal mining activities and illegal trade in Kamonyi and other districts like Rulindo," said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region.

He warned of continued operations against these unlawful mining practices, which sometimes lead to loss of lives.

"We are in the rainy period when risks are high. In most cases, illegal miners sneak into concessions at night, they have no idea about the status of the site and they destroy walls holding upper parts of the tunnel, which makes the cliff to cave in killing people," CIP Habiyaremye warned, calling upon the public to report those engaged in these illegal and life-threatening practices.

Anyone convicted for illegal mining or illegal mineral trade faces an 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.