Artisanal tin miners in Rukurijo Village, Isingiro District, are experiencing significant hardship following the sudden closure of their mining depot by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. This decision has left many locals, who relied on tin mining for their livelihoods, plunged into poverty. The local mining community reported an increase in criminal activity as individuals struggling to make ends meet have turned to crime, such as robberies and break-ins.

According to Alexander Turinawe, the General Secretary for Artisanal Miners in Isingiro, the closure was executed without prior notice or explanation. Miners were perplexed and frustrated by the abrupt action, especially since the depot had flourished in recent years, with mining beginning after the discovery of tin by a local resident. The depot used to attract over 3,000 miners, significantly improving the living standards of many families in the area.

The local RDC offered little clarity on the matter, suggesting that the miners may have been non-compliant with mining regulations. The sudden closure raises questions about the government’s communication and support mechanisms for artisanal miners, who are now left in a precarious economic situation without clear guidelines for compliance or alternative livelihoods. The implications of this closure extend beyond just the miners, affecting the local community at large as they grapple with the consequences of lost income and increased safety concerns.