KAYANZA, Dec 26 (ABP) – Members of mining cooperatives in the Kabuye zone of Kayanza commune in Butanyerera province (north) report a lack of electrical transformers, hindering their operations.
They voiced this grievance on Wednesday during a visit by a delegation tasked with overseeing mineral exploitation and marketing, led by General Silas Ntigurirwa. General Ntigurirwa reassured them that the Ministry of Mines is closely monitoring the situation and that appropriate solutions will be found shortly.
In his address, the Director General of the Burundi Mining Authority (OBM) encouraged the residents of Kabuye to form cooperatives and apply to the OBM for permits to conduct their activities in accordance with current legislation.
André Nizigiyimana, one of the leaders of the mining cooperatives operating in the area, confirmed that this administrative region is rich in mining sites. However, he emphasized that they face a major problem related to insufficient electricity. He therefore advocated for the installation of an electrical transformer to facilitate their mining activities.
In response to that concern, General Silas Ntigurirwa, who had visited the area leading a delegation tasked with overseeing the mining and marketing of minerals, reassured the cooperatives that the relevant ministry was already aware of the problem and that a favourable solution would be found soon.
For his part, Godefroid Niyonizigiye, administrator of the Kayanza commune, asked the environmental protection services to collaborate with the administrative authorities to ensure that the mining sites are rehabilitated in accordance with the law. He specified that those who fail to comply with this obligation will be subject to sanctions, including the revocation of their operating permit.