The call followed separate operations in which illegal miners were arrested.

In the latest operation conducted on Friday, November 4, Police, local leaders and other security organs arrested four people in Rutongo cassiterite mining concession located in Buliza Village of Mugambazi Cell in Murambi Sector.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer RPCEO identified those arrested as Alice Tuyishimire, 28, Jean Pierre Macari, 36, Jean Paul Nshimiyimana, 39 and Niyindora Protogène, 41.

They were handed over to RIB at Murambi station.

SP Ndayisenga said that the unlawful mining was reported by the management of the cassiterite concession, where the quartet was arrested.

"They were arrested at about 4a.m after the management of Rutongo Mines Limited reported a group of men that had sneaked into the concession that night. Security organs arrested all the four men at the concession," said SP Ndayisenga.

He warned against such illegal practices that can also lead to loss of lives.

"People enter into concessions at night and sometimes they do not know the status of the site, which is dangerous."

Article 54 of the law N° 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 on mining and quarry operations, states that; any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.

The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license