The Government of Rwanda has strengthened measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of communities living near mining sites, including relocating households at risk, securing mining areas, and rehabilitating abandoned pits.
The Minister of Local Government, Dominique Habimana, said the measures are aimed at addressing security risks and illegal activities associated with mining operations.
He made the remarks on Thursday, January 22, 2025, during a meeting with Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security.
The committee is conducting consultations with different institutions as part of its oversight role, focusing on challenges linked to mineral theft and illegal mining, which pose safety threats to nearby residents.
Minister Habimana explained that the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) works closely with relevant institutions to relocate communities living too close to mining sites, ensuring that mining activities are conducted safely and in line with regulations.
“These measures help prevent residents from engaging in illegal mining and reduce other risks, including children dropping out of school to work in mines. We will continue to strengthen these interventions,” he said.
He noted that failure to relocate communities often leads residents including school-going children to enter mining sites illegally, resulting in increased school dropouts.
To counter this, the government encourages out-of-school youth to return to education, with a strong emphasis on technical and vocational training.
“This is done through youth centres in every district, youth associations, volunteer youth networks, and targeted awareness campaigns in communities living near mining sites,” Habimana added.
The minister also said the government has intensified efforts to rehabilitate abandoned mines. Some sites have already been backfilled through community work under Umuganda, with ongoing efforts carried out in collaboration with the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB).
“RMB continues to closely monitor contractors to ensure that mining sites are rehabilitated once operations end. Those who fail to comply with these obligations face legal consequences,” he said.
RMB is responsible for setting policies, guidelines and regulations governing the mining sector, while MINALOC and other institutions support enforcement and ensure sound local governance.
During the same engagements, the parliamentary committee also held discussions with the trade union representing workers in the mining sector.
Under Article 42 of Law No. 58/2018 of 13 August 2018 governing mining and quarry operations, any license holder for mineral exploration, mining or quarrying is required to ensure that mining sites are operated, maintained and closed in a manner that does not endanger the health and safety of workers or surrounding communities.
