Philip Nibakure, 35, was arrested in Kanunga Village of Kabuga Cell, Masoro Sector with 62 kilogrammes of cassiterite, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Northern region Police spokesperson, said.
Cassiterite, a tin oxide mineral (SnO2) is the main ore of tin today used to produce tin cans for food containers, solder and polishing compounds.
“There was information that Nibakure was conducting illegal mineral business, and when Police went there they found him with 62 kilogrammes of cassiterite. He was immediately taken into custody,” CIP Twizeyimana said.
“He was at the time transporting the minerals to yet to be indentified location, but the case has been taken up by Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB). Investigations will trace the origin and where he was taking them, and anyone that could be connected to this illegal business,” he explained.
Rulindo is one of the districts with majority mining concessions especially in the sectors of Masoro, Murambi, Ntarabana and Shyorongi
“We received information from residents that someone was suspected to be possessing minerals whose source was not known, acting on the information we indeed uncovered the suspected had minerals whose legality could not be defended ” said CIP Twizeyimana.
CIP Twizeyimana referred to Article 1 of the Ministerial Regulations No001/Minifom/2011 relating to fighting smuggling in mineral trading that stipulates that nobody is allowed to purchase or sell minerals without commercial registration.
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