RWAMAGANA – At least three people have been reported dead after a cassiterite mine in Muhogoto, Kagarama cell, Rwamagana district, caved in yesterday.The deceased have been identified as Sibomana, Petit Niziyimana and Charles Bajeneza. Two others were injured while one is still unaccounted for. The Rwamagana district authorities told The New Times that the group was mining illegally. The district mayor, Nehemie Uwimana, said that many villagers risk their lives to get small amounts of the mineral, adding that some had abandoned agriculture for illegal mining.Local residents who spoke to The New Times said there were a handful of accredited mines and that miners in the area lack necessary skills thus use crude methods to extract the minerals. “Most of the small mines found in the districts are exploited by villagers using hoes and ploughs. It is this situation that has led to loss of lives” said one resident. Jean Damascene Habiyakare, 21, said that minerals fetched more money than farming. “We are not afraid of death…in fact, when a big number of people die inside a mine, it is a sign that it’s rich (in minerals)” he said. Most districts in the Eastern Province have huge deposits of cassiterite.”
