A 30-year-old man, Ndungutsimana Vincent, lost his life in a landslide at an illegal mining site in the village of Burerabana, Muhanga district, on Sunday. According to local authorities, Vincent was extracting precious stones in a manner not permitted by law when the landslide occurred. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of individuals involved in unauthorized mining activities.
The landslide occurred in the afternoon, and Vincent's colleagues reportedly alerted nearby residents, who assisted in retrieving his body. The area where the incident took place has been closed by the government, and the company that previously operated there has been inactive for some time. However, some individuals have continued to engage in unauthorized mining.
According to Ndayisenga Placide, the executive secretary of Rongi sector, the company operating in the area had been suspended for a long time, but some individuals continued to extract precious stones illegally. The authorities have been informed that some company leaders are aware of and facilitate the unauthorized mining activities, often deceiving miners into paying them to extract stones from closed sites.
Some residents have expressed concerns that certain company leaders are aware of and benefit from the unauthorized mining activities. They claim that these leaders deceive miners into paying them to extract stones from sites with valid permits, which are then sold. The residents are calling for stricter measures to be taken against those involved in unauthorized mining.
The body of Ndungutsimana Vincent was taken to Nyabikenke hospital for examination, while the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) continues to investigate the incident. Local authorities have been urged to take action against those responsible for the unauthorized mining activities.
The incident highlights the risks faced by individuals involved in unauthorized mining activities in Rwanda. The government has been urged to take measures to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of those involved in the mining sector.
The authorities have promised to take action against those responsible for the unauthorized mining activities and to work towards preventing similar incidents in the future. An investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the landslide and the involvement of company leaders in unauthorized mining activities.
Key points
- The incident highlights the risks faced by individuals involved in unauthorized mining activities in Rwanda.
- The government has been urged to take measures to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of those involved in the mining sector.
- The authorities have promised to take action against those responsible for the unauthorized mining activities.
