Deep beneath the hills of Nyakabingo in Rulindo District, northern Rwanda, lies one of Africa’s most important sources of tungsten, a critical mineral increasingly sought after by global technology and defence industries.
The Nyakabingo mine, operated by Trinity Metals Group, has undergone major transformation since 2022, when the company began large-scale, mechanised mining and modern processing operations. As a result, production has tripled, reaching over 1,200 tonnes of high-grade tungsten concentrate per year, making Nyakabingo the largest tungsten mine in Africa.
How Tungsten Is Mined in Rwanda
Tungsten is extracted from hard rock deposits found deep underground. At Nyakabingo, miners work through engineered tunnels using modern safety and extraction techniques, replacing traditional artisanal methods with industrial-scale mining. The ore is carefully processed on site to produce high-purity concentrate that meets international standards.
To ensure quality and transparency, Trinity Metals applies a closed-pipe traceability system, tracking each batch of minerals from the mine through processing to export. This system aligns with international requirements, particularly for markets such as the United States and Europe, which enforce strict sourcing and compliance regulations.
Why Tungsten Matters Globally
Tungsten is one of the world’s most valuable critical minerals due to its exceptional properties. It has an extremely high melting point, remarkable density, and strong resistance to wear and heat.
These qualities make it essential in:
- Medical equipment
- Industrial cutting and drilling tools
- Electronics and computer components
Aerospace and defence applications, including aircraft parts, missiles, armour-piercing ammunition, and radiation-shielding materials
Because of these uses, tungsten plays a vital role in both civilian industries and national security supply chains.
Rwanda Enters the U.S. Supply Chain
In September 2025, Rwanda achieved a major milestone when Trinity Metals shipped its first direct consignment of tungsten to Global Tungsten and Powders in Pennsylvania, USA, one of the world’s leading tungsten processors. The shipment was made under a long-term commercial agreement, marking Rwanda’s formal entry into the United States industrial and defence supply chain.
This development comes at a time when the United States and its allies are actively seeking to diversify sources of critical minerals, as China currently controls more than 80 percent of the global tungsten market. Rwanda’s growing output therefore contributes to global efforts to secure reliable and responsibly sourced supplies.
Investment and Value Addition
Trinity Metals Group, backed by TechMet (Ireland) and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, is now seeking approximately $60 million to construct a tungsten processing plant in Rwanda. This project aligns with Rwanda’s broader strategy to move beyond raw mineral exports and become a regional hub for mineral value addition.
Rwanda has already made progress in this area, with:
- One of the region’s few tin smelters
- Africa’s only tantalum refinery
- Expanded industrial mining operations across key mineral sites
- A Growing Role in Global Markets
Rwanda is now counted among the top global producers of tungsten, alongside countries such as China, Russia, and North Korea. Its focus on modern mining, traceability, and value addition reflects a long-term vision to position the country as a reliable and competitive supplier of critical minerals.
As demand for tungsten continues to rise worldwide, Rwanda’s Nyakabingo mine stands as a symbol of how investment, technology, and regulation can transform natural resources into a strategic economic asset.
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