An illegal mineral dealer identified as Felicien Uwiragiye was arrested on Monday, March 14, in Mwagiro Village, Rutonde Cell, Shyorongi Sector of Rulindo District with about 140kgs of stolen Wolfram.

The minerals were stolen from the concession owned by Euro-Trade International Ltd (ETI), Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), said.

He added that information was provided by security guards at the concession.

“The Management of ETI have been reporting people, who sneak into their concession to steal minerals, especially at night. On Monday at about 6am, security guards reported a group of people, including Uwiragiye, whom they saw coming out of the concession with minerals,” said SP Ndayisenga.

“An operation was conducted at the home of Uwiragiye where Police officers searched and recovered sacks containing about 140kgs of Wolfram and tools which he was using in illegal mining activities,” he added.

He warned against such illegal activities, which in some cases result into loss of lives.

SP Ndayisenga further called upon the public to share information on people, who engage in such unlawful and dangerous acts.

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 Frw1 million and not more than Frw5 million or only one of these penalties.