The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has made a bold move by revoking or refusing to renew licenses for 13 mining concessions due to persistent violations of safety, environmental, and labor standards as well as failure to fulfill investment commitments.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, November 14, the RMB declared, “Today, in accordance with relevant laws, RMB issued immediate cancellation or non-renewal notices of the following 13 concessions with serious and persistent shortcomings.”
This decision was reached after careful consideration of the results from RMB’s inspections and discussions with concession holders regarding their legal and contractual obligations.
The affected entities include Africome International, Better Generation and Machinery Limited, Cooperative Abahizi, TMT Limited, Cooperative KOPAMU, Soremi Intego Limited, SEAVMC Limited (which held 4 licenses), DEMICARU Limited, Mushishiro Mining Company Limited, and Hard Metal Limited.
Furthermore, several other companies with significant deficiencies have been issued warning notices with a strict requirement to provide compelling evidence of rectifying the breaches within two weeks. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of their concessions.
The RMB has also emphasized its commitment to collaborating with other government institutions to ensure that abandoned concessions are secured and properly decommissioned while awaiting new investment.
Additionally, the RMB acknowledged that nearly 150 other concessions are operating in good standing, including many operated by local cooperatives. The statement further urged these license holders to continue improving their operations and to be responsible stewards of Rwanda’s mineral resources.
