Having engaged a local drone company to help with environmental conservation efforts two years ago, the Rwandan government has expanded its security drone operations into using into fighting illegal mining.
The New Times, a local publication reports that the Rwanda National Police will be working with Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board Rwanda Mining Board (RMB), and local government in particular conducted operations to detect and deter illegal mining and environmental degradation.
Police Spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said the partners will deploy the drones to expose and shut down illegal mining operations, protect the environment, and level the playing field for legitimate businesses.
The joint operations started in June last year, and are said to have already significantly contributed to the detection and arrest of perpetrators of illegal mining in Rulindo, Musanze, Kamonyi, and Rwamagana districts, particularly in areas known for hosting precious minerals.
Most of the areas in question are not easily accessible and are far from the regular patrol reach.
“In most cases, illegal miners would turn violent in case they were stopped by local leaders. Illegal mining was also undermining operations of the legitimate mining companies,” said Rutikanga.
Heh added that by the last quarter of 2024, the police arrested more than 20 illegal mining ring leaders and taken them to court.
“Illegal mining sites were closed, and others were put under regular guard pending further approvals. Legitimate mining companies were relieved of the fraud and are enjoying fair business competition.”
The government was more lenient with the actual workers, choosing to counsel them on the risks of illegal mining as well as urging them to create cooperatives that would help them work the mining sector legally and safely.
“Aerial policing gives a larger view of what is happening in the large space on the ground in the span of a short time. It however, still requires ground presence to make the intended impact, pointing out that the deployment of drones is not an end in itself.”
The RMB also welcomed the deployment of drones to inspect mining sites, especially those in sloppy and hilly terrains that are hard to get to with conventional road transport.
Francis Kamanzi, CEO of RMB, said his organisation was satisfied with the work the police drone team was doing, as well as its availability to conduct these inspections on demand.
Kamanzi revealed to parliament in January that the RMB conducted a nationwide inspection from August to late September 2024, where the police team flew drones to support the inspection.
The inspections uncovered multiple cases of non-compliance, leading the mining authority to revoke 55 licenses from defaulting operators. Issues included excavating minerals near rivers, and washing them in such natural water bodies, which is at the expense of environment.
The drones were especially helpful during the night, as that was the time most illegal mining operations are carried out by people who attempt to avoid being caught.
While acknowledging the importance of working with the police for security reasons, Kamanzi said the RMB was seeking to acquire its own drones in the future for wider deployment.
Rwanda has tightened penalties against illegal mining under the law of 2024 on mining and quarry operations, making imprisonment and fines mandatory for people found on the wrong side of the law. People can now be jailed for up to five years (up from six months previously) while the fines can go up to about $36,000.
The fines are higher for companies, rising up to about $60,000.