The Rwanda Mining, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has taken decisive action by revoking the licenses of seven mining companies operating in the country due to “serious deficiencies,” with a primary focus on their failure to adhere to environmental and labor standards.
The announcement of the license revocations, made on January 3, came after the companies displayed “repeated failures to remedy serious deficiencies highlighted in official cancellation warnings issued earlier,” according to a statement released by the RMB. The decision took immediate effect upon its announcement.
Most of the affected companies, which held concessions in Western Province, were found to have “breached safety, environmental, and labor standards, and have not met their investment commitments,” as stated in the RMB’s official release.
Among the companies affected, Ngali Mining lost its license in Ngororero District; DEMIKARU lost two licenses in Rubavu and Rutsiro Districts; ETS MUNSAD Minerals lost one license in Ngororero District; and FX TUGIRANUBUMWE lost one concession in Kamonyi District.
Ngororero Mining Company (NMC) faced the revocation of two licenses in Ngororero (Nyamisa and Nyabisindu); Ets R.M. & Sons lost two concessions in Bugesera District, while Union Stone saw its license revoked in Rwankuba, Gatsibo District.
In its official statement, the RMB emphasized that these companies had “breached safety, environmental, and labor standards, and have not met their investment commitments.”
The mining license cancellations are part of the government’s broader efforts to implement measures aimed at supporting and professionalizing mining operations within the country.
With the exception of Ngali Mining, specializing in amethyst extraction, the other companies primarily dealt in tin (cassiterite), tungsten (wolframite), and tantalum (coltan), collectively known as 3Ts.
This move follows a similar action taken by the RMB in November 2023 when it cancelled 13 licenses of 10 mining companies due to “serious and persistent shortcomings” related to safety, environmental and labor standards, as well as investment commitments. Several other companies with serious deficiencies were issued cancellation warning notices.
The RMB emphasized its commitment to collaborating with other government institutions to ensure the security and proper decommissioning of abandoned concessions while actively preparing for responsible new investments.
In a concluding statement, the regulator encouraged all license holders to continuously enhance their operations and maintain the highest standards, stressing the importance of mining as an enabler of the country’s sustainable development.
