{"id":115117,"date":"2025-11-11T12:20:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T12:20:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining"},"modified":"2025-11-11T12:37:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T12:37:59","slug":"lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining","title":{"rendered":"Lawmakers caution against illegal mining"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Members of Parliament have raised concerns about theft and illegal mining activities in some districts, warning that these are putting lives at risk and threatening efforts to build a sustainable mining sector.<\/p>\n

The lawmakers on the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security last week conducted visits in 15 districts to evaluate ongoing mining activities and their contribution to economic development.<\/p>\n

During their visit to Gasabo and Rwamagana districts, the MPs noted the issue of illegal mineral extraction and theft, often carried out under dangerous conditions.<\/p>\n

MP Solange Uwingabe, who led the delegation, urged residents to avoid illegal mining and instead collaborate with companies operating legally.<\/p>\n

\u201cMining should be done responsibly and legally. People must understand that livelihoods are not found in minerals alone. There are other productive sectors they can engage in,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Uwingabe pointed out that in several parts of the country, mining has been practiced for generations, creating a cultural belief that survival depends solely on it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are working with local leaders to change this mindset by showing people alternative opportunities, in factories, cooperatives, and other lawful jobs. Gradually, this perception is changing,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

In Rwamagana District, the lawmakers toured Trinity Metals concession in Mwulire Sector, one of the country\u2019s largest producers of tin, tungsten, and tantalum, minerals collectively known as the \u201c3Ts,\u201d which are essential to global technology and renewable energy industries.<\/p>\n

The MPs commended the company for maintaining safety standards, rehabilitating exhausted mining pits, and planting trees to restore the environment.<\/p>\n

Despite these positive practices, district officials acknowledged that illegal mining remains a persistent challenge.<\/p>\n

Rwamagana District Mayor, Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, said that in just three months, authorities had arrested more than a dozen individuals, mostly young men, for illegal mining.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of these incidents occur in Musha Sector, where people sneak into quarries without safety measures. This exposes them to deadly accidents because proper geological and environmental assessments are not done,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are now working closely with companies to enhance security and provide job opportunities to the youth instead of letting them risk their lives,\u201d Mbonyumuvunyi noted.<\/p>\n

Local leaders echoed similar concerns<\/p>\n

Se\u0301raphine Niwemugeni, Executive Secretary of Musha Cell, called on residents to work with legitimate companies such as Trinity Metals instead of engaging in crime.<\/p>\n

\u201cRather than risking arrest or injury, residents should approach these companies, which offer decent employment. There\u2019s no reason to lose lives over illegal mining,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

According to district data, 13 out of Rwamagana\u2019s 14 sectors have active operations for 3Ts, conducted by 12 licensed companies.<\/p>\n

Between October 2024 and October 2025, these firms exported more than 1,100 tons of minerals to international markets, according to the district.<\/p>\n

Lawmakers commended the government\u2019s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) target of doubling the country\u2019s annual mineral export revenues to about $2.2 million by 2029.<\/p>\n

They cautioned, however, that these ambitions could be undermined if illegal mining continues unchecked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe urge local authorities to keep raising awareness about the dangers of unlawful mining and strengthen collaboration between communities, companies, and security organs,\u201d Uwingabe emphasized.<\/p>\n

The MPs said their findings from the 15-district tour will inform policy recommendations to combat illegal mining, safeguard lives, and ensure that Rwanda\u2019s mineral wealth benefits citizens fairly and sustainably.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Rwanda<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. Members of Parliament have raised concerns about theft and illegal mining activities in some districts, warning that these are putting lives at risk and threatening efforts to build a sustainable mining sector. The lawmakers on the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security last week conducted visits in 15 districts to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":115116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,14],"tags":[106,5750,496,758],"class_list":["post-115117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-policy","tag-economy","tag-illegal-mining","tag-mining","tag-rwanda"],"yoast_head":"\nLawmakers caution against illegal mining - Rwanda<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Members of Parliament have raised concerns about theft and illegal mining activities in some districts, warning that the ...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lawmakers caution against illegal mining\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Members of Parliament have raised concerns about theft and illegal mining activities in some districts, warning that the ...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Rwanda\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-11-11T12:20:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-11T12:37:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/static.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sites\/23\/2025\/11\/sm_1762852018.490806.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"666\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"cfeditoren\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"cfeditoren\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"cfeditoren\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/#\/schema\/person\/068c7ab4e9634ae78ec5d54ec46598bb\"},\"headline\":\"Lawmakers caution against illegal mining\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-11T12:20:01+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-11T12:37:59+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining\"},\"wordCount\":553,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/static.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sites\/23\/2025\/11\/sm_1762852018.490806.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Economy\",\"Illegal mining\",\"mining\",\"Rwanda\"],\"articleSection\":[\"all news\",\"Policy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/policy\/lawmakers-caution-against-illegal-mining\",\"name\":\"Lawmakers caution against illegal mining - 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