The minerals were recovered on Sunday, September 27, in the house of one Charles Twizeyimana, 43, the suspected thief.
They include 66.5kgs of cassiterite and 49kgs of Wolfram, which were allegedly stolen in the concession owned by Bugambira Mining Company Limited.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson of the Eastern region, said that the alleged theft was unearthed by local residents.
'Our community policing partners in the area called law enforcement organs reporting that Twizeyimana Charles is an illegal mineral dealer and had brought new consignments of minerals,' CIP Twizeyimana said.
He added: 'Police and investigators responded to the call, searched Twizeyimana Charles' house and recovered two sacks of minerals; 66.5kgs of cassiterite and 49kgs of Wolfram. The minerals were traced back to a concession owned by Bugambira Mining Company Limited, where they had been stolen.'
The spokesperson commended the residents for the spirit of community policing and neighbourhood watch in particular.
This came less than a week after three other mineral thieves were also arrested in Kayonza District, Rwinkwavu Sector.
On September 20, 377kgs of coltan were seized from four illegal dealers in Rutsiro District while 15 tonnes of coltan and cassiterite were impounded from illegal dealers in Kamonyi District.
Article 54 of the law 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 licence.
Elina Jonas Ruzindaza
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kayonza-over-110kgs-of-stolen-minerals-recovered
