On Saturday, March 26, Rwanda National Police (RNP) arrested two people in Kabuyenge Village, Nyanamo Cell, Rugengabari Sector, Burera District after they were found in illegal mining activities.
Fabien Iradukunda, 29, and Jean Baptiste Ntibabaza, 33, were arrested with 6kgs of Wolfram extracted from a concession belonging to Gifurwe Wolfram Mining and Processing Company Limited.
The Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, said that the suspects’ illegal practices were reported by the affected mining firm.
“The management of Gifurwe mining company reported that there was a group of people that was sneaking into their concession to steal their minerals and identified Iradukunda and Ntibabaza as part of the group.
In response to the information, the two men were located and found in Kabuyenge Village with 6kgs of Wolfram and were taken into custody,” SP Ndayisenga said.
The DPCEO thanked the management of the company for reporting the illegal mining acts.
He warned anyone involved in unlawful mineral related practices, including illegal mining, which in some cases result into loss of lives.
The suspects and exhibits were handed over to RIB at Rugengabari station for further legal process.
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.
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 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.
Leave a Reply