Rwanda secures deal to export Nyakabingo Wolfram to USA
Trinity Metals, a company that mines and processes wolfram at the Nyakabingo mines in Rulindo District, has signed a trade agreement with Global Tungsten and Powders (GTP) to export wolfram to the United States.
The agreement was signed on August 28, 2025, followed by a ceremony to load the first shipment of wolfram for export. The event was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Eric Kneedler, Trinity Metals CEO Peter Geleta, and Nyakabingo Mine Manager Justin Uwiringiyimana.
Earlier in 2025, the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) explained that Nyakabingo mines produce 1,000 tons of wolfram annually, making them the largest producer in Africa. The target is to double this output within the next four years.
Wolfram, also known as tungsten, is a mineral processed into high-strength metals used in construction, aircraft, tanks, spacecraft, guns, and ammunition. Trinity Metals exports the mineral after refining it to a 68% grade, while further processing by specialized industries increases its purity to 99.9%.
GTP, a subsidiary of the Plansee Group based in Pennsylvania, USA, has over 100 years of experience and specializes in producing high-quality tungsten powders and hard metals used in aerospace, space technology, and defense.
Trinity Metals President Shawn McCormick said that through its trading partner Traxys, the company was proud to sign this historic agreement with GTP, marking the beginning of regular exports of wolfram from the Great Lakes region to the U.S.
“As the largest tungsten processor on the continent, we are excited to work with Traxys and America’s leading tungsten processor, GTP, on this historic deal. It demonstrates for the first time that these critical minerals from the Great Lakes region will be exported to the U.S. in a secure and reliable way,” McCormick said.
Eric Rowe, Plansee Group’s Global Head of Natural Resources, said wolfram from Nyakabingo would “further strengthen U.S. security by supporting its industrial base.”
Mark Kristoff, CEO of Traxys, said the company was honored to be the exporter of wolfram from Nyakabingo to the U.S., expressing optimism about long-term cooperation with its partners.
“Traxys is proud to initiate the export of critical minerals from Rwanda’s leading mining company, Trinity Metals, to America’s leading tungsten processor, GTP. We look forward to a future of strong collaboration with Trinity and GTP,” Kristoff said.
Trinity Metals was established in 2022 through the merger of Nyakabingo Tungsten Mine, Rutongo Tin Mine, and Musha Tin and Tantalum Mine. It is the first mining company in Africa to receive financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), with a focus on environmental protection and governance.
Trinity Metals processes Wolfram from the Nyakabingo mines to a 68% grade before exporting it abroad
