Parliament has summoned the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to explain measures they are taking to address illegal mining.
Members of Parliament raised concerns about delays in issuing licences and weak inspections at district level.
The summons was announced on Thursday, March 12, during the presentation of a report by the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security analysing issues related to theft and illegal mining that undermine the security of citizens in some sectors.
ALSO READ: Western Province issues stark warning against illegal mining
The Committee Deputy Chairperson Jean Claude Ntezimana said the two institutions have six months to report back to Parliament on concrete measures taken to address the challenges identified.
MINALOC was asked to present steps to strengthen the role of district mining task forces responsible for inspecting mining activities, to improve oversight and curb illegal operations.
RDB, which oversees the mining sector through the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), was asked to explain measures to speed up the issuance of mining licences, as delays have been cited as a key factor driving illegal mining.
ALSO READ: How a new digital platform is ensuring transparency, fighting illegal mining
The institution was also asked to improve inspections related to the implementation of contracts signed between RMB and licensed mining companies, and to address challenges where licensed firms rely on subcontractors who are not recognised by the regulator.
Parliament further asked RDB to outline measures to ensure that all mining companies are fully integrated into IMS Inkomane system, which is intended to track operations, workers and compliance with mining regulations.
Parliament to follow up on abandoned pits
The committee also said Parliament will follow up on a previous decision to summon the Prime Minister to explain the government’s roadmap for rehabilitating abandoned mining and quarry pits, including those dating back to the colonial period and those left by former state-owned mining companies.
ALSO READ: Lawmakers caution against illegal mining
Lawmakers also raised concerns about the impact of illegal mining on families and children’s education, as well as the functioning of community patrol known as Irondo.
Over 1,300 cases reported
According to the house committee report,between 2020 and 2025 more than 1,300 case files related to illegal mining were recorded.
Illegal mining was reported on privately owned farmland, in rivers, state forests, previously excavated pits, abandoned mining sites and concessions taken from operators who failed to comply with regulatory requirements.
MP Odette Uwamariya Wibabara said the consequences have been severe, noting that between 2020 and 2024, at least 394 people died and 187 were injured in mining related incidents linked to non-compliance with safety regulations.
She also noted that despite reports identifying individuals involved in illegal mining, enforcement has sometimes been weak.
"The Federation of Mining Cooperatives in Rwanda (FECOMIRWA) has also indicated that some licensed operators collaborate with unlicensed miners, a practice that further fuels illegal mining,” she said.
Wibabara said establishing a Mining Chamber could help strengthen regulation and promote international standards within the sector. She added that registering mining companies in official systems would also improve oversight and help prevent tax evasion.
Committee cites licence delays
Responding to concerns raised by MPs, Committee Chairperson Hope Gasatura Tumukunde said delays in issuing licences and replacing contractors at mining sites have contributed to illegal mining.
She said RMB had previously cited delays in the publication ministerial orders as one of the obstacles in enforcement and inspection, although progress has recently been made.
"We want to see the process accelerated so that the progress that has been made can be sustained,” Tumukunde said.
She added that while the mining sector continues to grow, it still faces capacity challenges and requires coordinated efforts from multiple institutions to address persistent issues.
Safety and enforcement concerns
MP Christine Kanyandekwe also raised concerns about the safety and health risks faced by workers in the sector.
She noted that while some licensed companies provide protective equipment for workers, others fail to ensure adequate safety measures, exposing workers to occupational diseases and accidents.
Kanyandekwe emphasised the need to enforce existing laws, which already provide strict penalties for those who buy minerals extracted illegally.