Police cautions public against illegal mining

{Rwanda National Police (RNP) appeals to the general population especially those residing near mining concessions to desist from illegal mining activities that at times cause disasters.}

The call follows an illegal mining incident on April 4 in Rulindo District, which left one person dead.

It is alleged that one Jean d’Amour Nsabiyumva, the deceased, a resident of Mugambazi Cell, Murambi Sector in Rulindo sneaked into Rutongo Mining Concession at night to illegally mine cassiterite, when he got covered by landslides.

Speaking about the incident, the Northern Region Police spokesperson Inspector of Police (IP) Innocent Gasasira said that illegal mining puts those involved at risk especially that some of the parts of the concessions are either abandoned and at high risk of caving-in if tampered with.

He went on to remind the public that no one is allowed to practice mining without a license or enter a concession without the required protective gears.

“Mining is not something that is practiced by anyone; it requires skills and knowledge that’s why it’s a profession that requires a license to the practitioners; illegal mining normally result into such incident,” IP Gasasira said.

He also reminded the licensed mining firms to adhere to their licence and take measures to protect the environment around their concessions, but also take internal measures to prevent such illegal mining activities in their sites.

“Having a license to mine doesn’t mean that you have the authority to destroy the environment. You should be champions of environmental protection, covered the concessions that are no longer in use and always plant as many trees as possible around the sites,” he said.

As part of addressing issues concerning environment, including mining, Rwanda National Police established the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) that operates under the Criminal Investigation Department, and mandated to protect the environment in all aspects, including air space, forestry and biodiversity, as well as the enforcement of different legal instruments relating to environment.