Illegal mine collapse in Rwanda’s Huye district followed by landslides

An illegal mine collapsed in the Kinazi sector of Huye district, Rwanda, on April 19.

Furthermore, six workers were trapped inside the 80-meter deep collapsed mine, three of whom are senior six students.

A rescue operation was soon after launched, which included the deployment of two excavators. However, the rescue team’s efforts were tempered by two landslides on site, which followed the collapse. According to the Head of Regulation and Inspection at Rwanda Mines, Narcisse Dushimana, the second landslide occurred when rescuers were about to enter the tunnels.

District officials and local residents stated that they were unaware of the mine’s existence, which has been operating on site for four years.

The type of mined materials remains unknown, as well as the mine’s owner, who was introducing himself as a water resource explorer, aiming to supply residents with clean water.

Mining accidents are not uncommon in Rwanda and, according to Rwanda Mines Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) 116 miners lost their lives in 2018 and 106 in 2019, out of which 47 were reported to be in illegal mines and quarries.

Only 23% of the country’s mining firms were reportedly found to comply with standards in 2018, a number which increased to 40% the following year.