President Paul Kagame visited the Nyakabingo mine in the Rulindo district, one of the main sites for the extraction of precious tungsten ores in Africa, on 23 May 2025.
The Office of the Head of State reported that the mine employs more than 1,800 workers and that its production has almost doubled over the past three years.
Located in the Shyorongi sector, the mine is operated by Trinity Metals Group under an agreement signed with the government.
Tungsten mining began there in 1930, while Trinity Metals resumed management in 2022. There are currently five veins, including an 800-metre slope and a depth of 120 metres.
The mine is based on state-of-the-art technologies. In the galleries, machinery transport workers to extract ores remotely, while ventilation systems provide continuous supply of fresh air. Pumps evacuate groundwater to maintain a safe working environment, and various additional equipment helps to minimise the risk of accidents.
In March 2025, the management of Trinity Nyakabingo pointed out that due to these technological advances, the mine had not recorded any accidents that had caused work incapacity for more than seven months.
Tungsten is a precious ore, which is very much sought after by industries producing modern and sustainable equipment. In particular, it is used in the construction, aeronautics, armoured vehicles, satellites and manufactures firearms and ammunition.
The National Agency for Mines, Oil and Gas (RMB) claims that Rwanda exports a minimum of 24 tons of tungsten every week.
Last year, Trinity Metals mined 1,107 tons of tungsten at the Nyakabingo mine and plans to double its production over the next four years.
President Kagame tours Nyakabingo Mine; Africa’s leading tungsten producer, operated by Trinity Metals. pic.twitter.com/5tUzTOpyMf
— KIGALI DAILY NEWS (@kigalidailynews) May 23, 2025
