The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has announced cancellation of at least 13 mining licenses due what they called “persistent shortcomings” related to respect of safety, environment, and labour standards.
According to the official statement released on Tuesday, November 14, RMB issued immediate cancellation or non-renewal notices of 13 concessions with serious and persistent shortcomings.
The government body for mining noted that the decision was taken after conducting an inspection audit and after engaging with concession holders regarding their legal as well as contractual obligations, particularly in respect to safety, environmental, and labour standards.
The companies affected include; Africome International, Better Generation and Machinery Limited, Cooperative Abahizi, TMT Limited, Cooperative KOPAMU, Soremi Intego Limited, SEAVMC Limited (had 4 licences), DEMICARU Limited, Mushishiro Mining Company Limited, and Hard Metal Limited.
Further, several other companies received cancellations warning notices with a recruitment to submit, within two weeks convincing evidence of remedying the breaches.
In the statement, RMB additionally warned that failure to do so will result in cancellation of those concessions adding that it will work with other government institutions to ensure that abandoned concessions are secured and properly decommissioned while awaiting new investment.
“Nearly 150 other concessions are operating in good standing, including many run by local cooperatives.” RMB pointed out.
