{Mining companies operating in the Eastern Province have been told to conduct environmental risk assessment on their sites and take effective measures to ensure safety and protect the ecosystem in and around their concessions.}
Superintendent of Police (SP) Modeste Mbabazi, the Director of the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) in Rwanda National Police (RNP) made the call last week in Rwamagana District while addressing owners of mining firms in the Eastern Province.
This was during a workshop organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources that brought together 56 owners of concessions and technicians operating in the region.
SP Mbabazi also enlightened them on the role of EPU in environmental protection and laws that penalize anyone who conduct illegal mining.
“You should be champions of environmental protection and always plant as many trees as possible around your concessions, that way, you avoid unnecessary environmentally related disasters like landslides,” SP Mbabazi said.
He went on to detail RNP’s partnership with other institutions in line with environmental protection, saying that the force has joint activities with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA).
SP Mbabazi also appealed to the management of such mining sites to ensure security of their concessions to prevent illegal and dangerous mining activities conducted especially at night.
He reminded that for one to conduct mining activities, has to be authorized, warning of severe consequences to whoever will be found mining illegally or violating the mining standards.
He cited articles 438 to 400 of the Rwandan penal code that penalize those who conduct mining illegally while with regards to environmental degradation, he cited article 413 of the same law.
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