NBM protects environment through safe soil management
The mining site operated by New Bugarama Mining (NBM), located in Kagogo Sector of Burera District, extracts a valuable mineral known as tungsten ore. The area lies on steep hills covered with dark soil known locally as “Nyiramakeba,” which serves as a natural source of this mineral.
NBM conducts underground mining, where miners descend into the earth to extract tons of mineral-rich soil. This soil is not returned underground since new paths are continually created to trace and access mineral deposits.
To prevent environmental degradation and safeguard nearby infrastructure and farmlands, the company has implemented safe and sustainable soil management practices. These measures aim to comply with mining regulations while protecting the surrounding natural environment and supporting community livelihoods.
Ange Nadine Ashimwe, the Environment, Health, and Safety Officer at New Bugarama Mining, explained to Greenafrica.rw how the company handles the large volume of excavated soil without causing harm.
“The soil we extract from the mine never ends up in people’s farms or properties. If it contains any mineral value, we process it in our onsite facilities. If it’s regular soil, we either use it in our own construction projects or offer it to community members for building purposes. This ensures no waste pollutes the environment or affects nearby agricultural activities.”She said
NBM also has long-term storage solutions for excess soil, especially during the rainy season when mining continues uninterrupted, but construction activities may slow down.
“We have designated dump sites where we store excavated material,” Ange continued. “Each hillside has a spot where we compact the soil to prevent it from being blown away. Over time, these artificial hills are covered with grass. Where grass is not planted, it’s usually because the soil has already been used by local residents or road construction companies.”
Beyond managing mining debris, the company also handles soil that flows down the hills due to rain. To prevent erosion and flooding, the company has installed water collection basins.
“You may have seen where rainwater creates channels along the slopes. We can’t construct long drains there because the area is traversed by machines such as excavators. So, we let the water carry soil into our designated basins. Once the basins are full, we use excavators to remove the sediment and transport it to our dump sites,” Ange explained. “This process helps us control water flow and prevent damage.”
Local residents shared their appreciation for the free soil they receive from NBM, which they use to build and maintain their homes. Some even mold the soil into bricks for sale.
One resident, Niyibizi, told Greenafrica.rw: “They give us soil to plaster our houses without charging us. This makes construction more affordable from the raw bricks to finishing touches. We just mold the bricks, let them dry properly, and build with them. If any are left, we sell them to cover other expenses.”
NBM emphasizes worker safety and responsible mining. Every employee undergoes training on health and safety procedures and is briefed daily before work begins, to reduce the risk of accidents like landslides or collapses.
New Bugarama Mining began operations at the site in 2009, focusing on mineral extraction for both international markets and local development. The company prides itself on hiring locally, with many community members being the first to benefit from job opportunities when the site was stared.
