Patrice Ngirumpatse, 59, and Jean Nepomscene Ntakirutimana, 35, were found in Nyungwe forest where they said were mining gold using traditional tools.
The Western region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that the suspects were arrested due to a tip off by local residents.
“Residents of Bweyeye had reported a group of people that conduct illegal mining activities in Nyungwe forest, especially at night, and the duo was arrested in response to the information,” CIP Karekezi said.
During the operation, it was observed that they had also cut trees in sites where they had turned into mining concessions.
CIP Karekezi said that besides conducting illegal mining, these were also acts of environmental degradation.
The suspects were handed over to RIB at Nyakabuye 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.
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