Does Development Have a Price? The Lives of Mine Workers in Rwanda
As mining activities continue to play a significant role in Rwanda’s economic growth, concerns surrounding workers’ health and occupational safety remain central to national conversations about sustainable development.
At the heart of this discussion is GAMICO Ltd, one of Rwanda’s major mining companies, operating the Bashyamba tin mine in Nyarugenge District, Kigali. While the company has officially confirmed only one case of silicosis among its workers, the broader health implications of mining activities raise important questions: Can economic development be achieved without compromising human health?
Strengthening Health and Safety Standards
Following the confirmation of a silicosis case, GAMICO Ltd states that it has taken broad operational steps to improve workplace safety and mitigate occupational health risks.
Mechanization and Dust Control
The company is transitioning from artisanal mining methods to more mechanized operations. This includes the use of electric and pneumatic jackhammers, alongside plans to introduce drill-and-blast techniques aimed at improving efficiency and safety.
Additionally, “wet drilling” technology is being introduced to significantly reduce respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust exposure reportedly by up to 90 percent.
Regulatory Compliance
GAMICO operates under the oversight of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), whose regulations have recently become stricter. In late 2023 and early 2024, the RMB revoked several mining licenses nationwide due to non-compliance with safety, environmental, and labour standards. GAMICO maintained its operating license during these inspections, indicating adherence to current regulatory requirements.
National Silicosis Case-Finding Initiative
Although not exclusive to GAMICO, Rwanda launched its first rural silicosis case-finding program in 2022. More than 1,000 miners were screened using chest X-rays and spirometry to detect lung diseases at early stages.
The GAMICO Clinic provides occupational health services, emergency care, routine monitoring, injury treatment, and health awareness programs for employees, contractors, and nearby communities — reinforcing the company’s stated commitment to responsible mining operations.
Medical Findings from the Field
To better understand the situation, interviews were conducted with doctors, environmental officers, managers, and miners working both at the GAMICO Clinic and at mining sites.
Dr. Jules Nyirimana, who has overseen workers’ health at the clinic for the past year, explains that the most common health conditions are directly linked to mining activities.
“The most common problems we see include back pain due to heavy labour, breathing difficulties caused by dust exposure, and flu. Currently, we have one patient diagnosed with tuberculosis who is receiving proper treatment,” he said.
Regarding silicosis — an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust — Dr. Nyirimana confirmed that while several workers have shown symptoms, only one worker, Jean Pierre, has been officially diagnosed.
“We continue encouraging other workers to undergo medical screening because this disease can remain undetected for a long time,” he explained.
The diagnosed worker is currently receiving home-based care, as silicosis is chronic and prevents him from returning to underground work.
Company Response and Worker Support
Abel Munyaneza, the company’s Environmental Officer, confirmed that workers who fall ill due to occupational conditions are supported and allowed to receive treatment until recovery. When necessary, they are referred to specialized hospitals.
He disclosed that one affected family is currently receiving school fee support for their children due to work-related health challenges. Additionally, another worker suffering from heart disease is undergoing treatment at King Faisal Hospital.
Although Munyaneza acknowledged that he is not a medical specialist, he noted that silicosis is generally believed to develop after 10 or more years of silica dust exposure. However, in the confirmed GAMICO case, the worker had only five years of exposure — a situation that suggests the need for further scientific investigation.
“We continue to support him, and he will keep receiving assistance,” Munyaneza stated.
Workers Speak: Air Underground and Fear of Testing
One miner, speaking anonymously, described challenging underground conditions:
“Sometimes underground we feel there is little air. Some workers avoid testing because they saw their colleague fall sick and stop working.”
Jean Pierre himself urged colleagues to strictly adhere to safety measures.
“If I had fully respected all safety instructions, maybe I would not be sick today. I ask my colleagues to follow every rule so they do not suffer like I do.”
He added that illness affects not only personal health but also productivity and household income.
Water Management and Environmental Measures
Christian, the Environmental Manager, explained how underground water encountered during excavation is treated and reused for mineral processing and irrigation.
“We do not waste any water. We treat and reuse it. We do not pay for WASAC water for mining operations,” he said.
However, he admitted that in the past, untreated underground water was used for drinking and cooking, resulting in cases of diarrhea and stomach-related illnesses. After laboratory testing confirmed contamination, the company restricted its use to mineral washing and now sources drinking water from WASAC.
GAMICO employs 15 environmental officers responsible for rehabilitating mined land through soil restoration, tree planting, and vegetation programs to restore ecosystems and improve air quality.
Gender Inclusion and Social Impact
Uwamaliya Angelique, a Health Officer who has worked at the company for five years, explained that protective gear is mandatory before entering the mine.
She shared how employment transformed her life:
“Before getting this job, I was struggling. Now I have built my own house, and my children attend good schools. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
Workers have also established a solidarity fund to assist colleagues facing emergencies.
Uwituje M. Solange, who has worked in mining for four and a half years, emphasized that being a woman has never prevented her from performing physically demanding work. She confirmed that the company provides four months of maternity leave, designated rest rooms for women during menstruation, and lighter duties for breastfeeding mothers.
Out of approximately 1,750 direct workers, 207 are women and 1,543 are men.
Broader Worker Concerns
Despite reported improvements, several recurring concerns persist:
Invisible long-term dangers of dust exposure, Respiratory illnesses progressing from chronic cough to disability, Historical lack of adequate PPE, Gaps in contracts and insurance coverage.
The Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU) has advocated for stronger contracts and improved safety equipment. Permanent contracts reportedly now stand at 34 percent.
Recent studies in Rwanda’s cassiterite mining regions indicate that between 9.2% and 10.1% of screened miners were diagnosed with silicosis, particularly those in blasting, excavation, and drilling roles.
Scientific Explanation of Silicosis
Silicosis is an incurable, progressive lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust during drilling, blasting, and crushing operations.
Biological Process
Inhalation of microscopic silica particles , Immune response by macrophages, Cell rupture and inflammation, Fibrosis permanent scarring of lung tissue
Types
Chronic (10–30 years), Accelerated (5–10 years), Acute (weeks to months under extreme exposure). Silicosis significantly increases vulnerability to tuberculosis, lung cancer, and kidney disease.
National Health Context
Dr. Emmanuel Sibomana of the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) stated that comprehensive national data linking mining and respiratory diseases is still limited.
In 2023, at least 471,171 people in Kigali were treated for respiratory conditions. In 2022, 38% of patients nationwide had respiratory illnesses. Between 2012 and 2015, hospital admissions nearly doubled, with 13% linked to air pollution.
Environmental Impacts Beyond the Mine
Mining operations at Bashyamba contribute to:
Soil erosion on steep terrain, Dust pollution affecting crops and residents, Habitat fragmentation, Tailings waste management challenges and Localized carbon emissions
All operations must comply with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations enforced by REMA, and companies must maintain performance bonds for site restoration.
Policy Reforms and “Zero Harm” Strategy
Recent reforms require:
Mandatory N95 or higher masks. Pre-employment and periodic lung screening, Transfer to dust-free roles without salary reduction, Compensation via RSSB, Immediate license suspension for violations. The “Zero Harm” initiative includes surprise inspections and stricter enforcement.
Global Burden of Silicosis
Globally:
35,483 new cases annually, 2.65 million people living with the disease, 12,900 deaths each year, 230 million workers exposed worldwide. The East Asia accounts for 90% of cases. In South Africa, approximately 25% of former gold miners have silicosis. A 2025 Lancet study estimates 2.75 million small-scale miners globally suffer from the disease.
A Question for Rwanda’s Development Path
Mining provides employment, income stability, and national revenue. Workers like Mbarushimana Jean and Solange testify to improved living standards.
Yet the evidence also reveals a complex reality: occupational health risks, environmental degradation, and long-term medical consequences.
As Kigali’s Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva recently stated, air quality is declining, prompting large-scale tree planting and wetland rehabilitation efforts.
The question remains:
Can Rwanda’s economic growth continue without sacrificing the health of those who power it?
Sustainable development demands strong collaboration between mining companies, regulators, unions, and workers themselves ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of human life.
By Florence Uwamaliya
