RMB Orders Tough Mine Safety Measures Ahead of Heavy Rains

The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has issued a strong safety warning to mining companies, urging them to tighten measures against accidents in mining sites as the country prepares for a period of heavy rainfall.

The directive comes amid concerns that intense rains could increase risks in underground mining operations, particularly through weakened structures, water infiltration and other hazards that could threaten the lives of workers.

RMB has called on mining companies to ensure that every underground mine, locally known as an indani, is properly protected with a roof capable of shielding workers and supporting safe working conditions. The companies have also been instructed to conduct thorough daily inspections before work begins to identify and eliminate any dangerous conditions at the sites.

The safety inspections are expected to establish whether underground areas are stable and free from hazards that could cause accidents before miners are allowed to enter and begin their duties.

RMB has further emphasized the mandatory use of personal protective equipment by all workers while on duty. Mining companies are expected to ensure that every worker is adequately equipped with the necessary protective gear and that safety requirements are strictly followed throughout mining operations.

One of the most critical requirements concerns emergency exits. According to RMB, every underground mine must have at least two separate escape routes to allow workers to evacuate safely in case of an emergency.

Mines that do not have the required two exits are expected to suspend operations until the safety requirement is fulfilled. The measure is intended to ensure that workers have an alternative route to safety if one exit becomes inaccessible during an accident or other emergency.

The board’s warning places greater responsibility on mining companies to make safety a daily priority rather than a response to accidents. With heavy rains capable of creating additional risks underground, strict compliance with safety standards is expected to play a key role in protecting workers and preventing avoidable loss of life.

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LIBOS NDAYISHIMIYE

Libos Ndayishimiye is a Rwandan journalist, reporter, and radio presenter who has been active in the media industry since 2024. He centers his work on community-driven storytelling, aiming to foster a well-informed society.

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