Rwanda: Bugesera Suspends Quarry Operations Pending Safety Inspections

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a report by The New Times, reported on July 23, 2026, that authorities in Rwanda’s Bugesera District have halted quarry extraction in Ntarama Sector while safety checks are carried out. The move follows a July 9 collapse at a quarry run by the licensed cooperative COTRAKI, where 10 workers, including one woman, died while extracting construction materials.

The inspection process began this week and involves Bugesera District officials, the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, security agencies and quarry operators. Mayor Richard Mutabazi told The New Times that the review is intended to identify gaps in quarry operations and that a report expected next week will shape decisions on whether individual sites can reopen, must make corrections, or remain closed.

According to the report, the review goes beyond verifying licences. Authorities are examining whether qualified engineers are supervising work, whether operators follow approved extraction plans, and whether sites meet environmental and occupational safety requirements, including land rehabilitation after quarrying. Mutabazi said districts issue licences for small and medium commercial quarries, while larger industrial operations fall under the national mining regulator.

The case matters because the COTRAKI collapse was described as one of Bugesera’s deadliest quarry accidents in recent years. Rescue teams, including police, local officials and residents, recovered all 10 bodies after hours of searching. The inspection findings are expected to guide enforcement and possible reforms aimed at reducing risks in the sector.