Rwanda cancels 13 mining licences
The government of Rwanda has revoked licences of some companies citing breached mining laws. The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) made immediate cancellation or non-renewal notices of 13 licences due to serious and persistent shortcomings in meeting mining standards.
The firms whose licence have been revoked include Africome Intl, Better Generation and Machinery Limited, Cooperative Abahizi, TMT Ltd, Cooperative KOPAMU, Soremi Intego Ltd, SEAVMC Ltd, DEMICARU Ltd, Mushishiro Mining Company Ltd, and Hard Metal Ltd.
Obliging with law
The RMB has warned other companies with deficiencies to submit convincing evidence of remedying the breaches within two weeks. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of their concessions. The decision to revoke licenses comes in the wake of a recent tragedy where mines collapsed on miners, resulting in the death of six people in Kayonza district, Eastern Province. Additionally, measures are to be implemented to support the professionalization of artisanal mining.
It is reported that there are nearly 150 mining concessions operating in good standards, with the majority being run by local cooperatives. This suggests that the RMB is keen on promoting and maintaining high mining standards while taking appropriate actions against those violating regulations.
“RMB, together with other government institutions, will ensure that abandoned concessions are secured and property decommissioned while waiting for new investments, and that measures are put in place to support artisanal mining professionalize,” said RMB.
