{The Western Province Police Spokesperson, Superintendent Emmanuel Hitayezu, has appealed to the community in the region to refrain from illegal mining activities in order to avert environment degradation and loss of lives.}
He made the call on December 16 following the arrest of three people who were involved in illegally mining of coltan and cassiterite from a concession in Cyome cell, Gatumba sector in Ngororero District.
The suspects identified as Jean Damascene Vuguziga, Zacharie Mushimiyimana and Pacifique Hakizimana were arrested on December 15 when they were found by Police to be inside a mine cavern without authorization or proper safety mining equipment.
The trio is held at Gatumba Police Station as investigations continue.
“Minerals are national resources and contribute greatly to the development of our nation. There are rules and guidelines that regulate whoever wants to join the industry in order to maintain safety of the people and also to ensure maximum benefit from the activity,” Hitayezu said.
“Therefore we should all desist from the habit of mining illegally for quick gains and respect the law.”
Supt. Hitayezu also urged residents to respond to community policing mechanisms by reporting those involved in this activity.
Mining has been one of Rwanda’s top foreign exchange earner – with the main minerals being cassetirite, coltan and wolfram.
In 1999, Rwanda produced only 943 tonnes of minerals which fetched US$7 million. After streamlining the sector, figures have since then skyrocketed to 8188 tonnes, fetching US$228 million in 2013.
RNP
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