Owners and managers of mining sites in Kamonyi District have been called upon to take measures to conserve the environment around their concessions. The District Police Commander of Kamonyi, Chief Inspector Marcel Kalisa made the call on March 19 while appearing on a talk-show aired live on Radio Huguka, which operates in the region. CIP Kalisa also appealed to the management of such mining sites to ensure security of their concessions to prevent illegal and dangerous mining activities conducted especially at night. He reminded that for one to conduct mining activities, has to be authorized, warning of severe consequences to whoever will be found mining illegally or violating the mining standards. "We have encountered cases where people, who go in these concessions illegally at night, end up losing their lives. At times these sites are not guarded, which is partly unacceptable failure for owners of these sites,” he noted. In the issue of environmental protection, he emphasized that owners of mining sites should cover all concessions that are no longer under use to prevent likely disasters. He cited articles 438 to 400 of the Rwandan penal code that penalize those who conduct mining illegally. Rwanda National Police, through its Environmental Protection Unit is currently conducting operations and awareness on environmental conservation. Illegal activities are therefore said to be gravely contributing to environmental degradation and the reason for the current status of muddy River Nyabarongo. RNP in partnership with other government and private institutions are currently running a campaign dubbed "Turning Nyabarongo Blue” which is intended to fight anything, majority mining activities, that is affect the water body. An operation conducted in Ngororero and Rutsiro districts in December last year, netted 33 people who were either found mining without permits or disregarding mining standards and techniques, were arrested and 25 mining sites were closed temporarily. Districts that have access to River Nyabarongo are Nyarugenge, Kamonyi, Gakenke, Muhanga, Ruhango, Karongi, Nyamagabe, Nyanza and Nyaruguru, the main source.

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