In June 2021, Rwandan authorities arrested two individuals in Rulindo District for conducting illegal coltan mining operations and exploiting Child Labour (Article 6 of the law regulating to Labour in Rwanda prohibits subjecting a child below the age of 18 to any form of work which is physically harmful to the child). The suspects had coerced 32 minors (who were rescued during the operation), aged between 12 and 16, to abandon their education and work in hazardous mining conditions. These children were paid between 7,000 and 8,000 Rwandan francs per kg of coltan extracted. The operation was uncovered following complaints from local residents about the destruction of their fields due to unauthorised mining activities. Subsequently, the arrested individuals were charged under laws prohibiting Child Labour and unauthorised mineral exploitation.