Urgent Calls to Reopen Abandoned Mining Sites in Rwanda
Lawmakers in Rwanda have raised urgent concerns about the growing impact of abandoned mining sites across the country. They warn that delays in reallocating suspended licenses are exacerbating illegal mining activities, leading to job losses and significant environmental degradation. These concerns were highlighted during a series of oversight visits by members of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security in 15 districts, aimed at assessing the current state of mining operations and their economic contributions.
During an inspection in Ngororero District, where 12 out of its 13 sectors contain mineral deposits, MPs expressed alarm over the fate of sites left idle after the suspension of five companies’ licenses. The suspensions have resulted in over 4,300 workers losing their jobs, many of whom have turned to illegal mining as a means of survival.
MP Beth Murora emphasized the need for swift action. “Revoking licenses for companies that breach regulations is understandable,” she said. “But once a site is left idle, the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) should immediately reissue permits to compliant investors. The current situation is not only hurting the economy but also destroying the environment.”
Ngororero Mayor Christophe Nkusi echoed these concerns, pointing out that illegal mining has led to a decline in local revenues and posed serious risks to residents’ safety. “We urge residents to stop engaging in unauthorized mining,” he said. “It slows development because we lose revenue that could fund public projects. People are dying in unsafe pits, and the environment is being destroyed.” He called for immediate advocacy to either restart operations at suspended companies or license new investors to take over.
Environmental Risks from Unrehabilitated Pits
Environmental officials have also raised alarms about the dangers posed by unrehabilitated pits left behind by defunct operators. Aloys Munyarukiko, the District Environmental Officer, noted that many open pits pose serious safety and ecological risks. “Companies are required to deposit a security bond when granted a license,” he explained. “Authorities should explore ways to redirect that money to districts so it can be used to rehabilitate abandoned pits.”
Munyarukiko also urged the RMB to include revoked sites in new bidding rounds to attract credible investors. “RMB knows which companies have lost their permits; those sites should be promptly added to new bidding blocks so that legal mining can resume,” he said.
RMB’s Efforts to Attract New Investors
RMB officials confirmed that the agency is actively seeking new investors for sites with mining potential. “We currently have about 10 blocks under final evaluation, and more will be opened for bidding in December,” they stated. “When a licensed miner fails to comply, the law requires that the site revert to government, which then organizes new pitching rounds to attract capable investors.”
Ngororero remains one of Rwanda’s key mining districts, with 19 licenses issued to 15 companies, along with three exploration permits and 30 quarry licenses. The district produces cassiterite, wolfram, coltan, amethyst, and beryllium.
Economic and Environmental Impacts
Under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), Rwanda aims to double mining output within five years, recognizing the sector as a top source of export revenue and employment for over 57,000 workers. Nationwide, there are more than 990 abandoned or inactive mining pits, including 380 historical sites left by colonial-era miners and 318 created through illegal mining. Rehabilitating these sites is estimated to cost Rwf 26 billion.
Key Challenges and Solutions
- Job Losses: Over 4,300 workers have lost their jobs due to suspended licenses, pushing many into illegal mining.
- Environmental Damage: Unrehabilitated pits pose serious ecological risks and endanger lives.
- Revenue Shortfalls: Illegal mining reduces local revenues that could be used for public projects.
- Need for Reinvestment: Redirecting security bonds to rehabilitation efforts could help address the issue.
- Bidding Rounds: Including revoked sites in new bidding rounds could attract legal investors and restore mining activities.