The deal, signed with Global Tungsten and Powders (GTP), part of the Plansee Group in Pennsylvania, and Trinity's offtake partner Traxys, marks a major step in establishing a reliable supply of high-grade tungsten from the Great Lakes region of Africa to the U.S. market.
GTP, with over a century of experience, is one of the world's largest tungsten processors, producing tungsten and tungsten carbide powders as well as heavy alloy powders for the aerospace and defence industries.
Shawn McCormick, Chairman of Trinity Metals, highlighted the significance of the agreement for both the company and the U.S. market.
'As the largest producer of tungsten on the continent, we are very pleased to be working with both Traxys and America's largest tungsten refiner, GTP, on this historic agreement, which marks the first time that a consistent and reliable supply of this high-grade mineral from the Great Lakes region of Africa will flow to the United States.'
Eric Rowe, Plansee Group Director of Global Raw Materials, added that the agreement strengthens American national security by adding responsibly produced tungsten to the U.S. industrial base.
"We are very pleased to be partnering with Trinity Metals, which has strong support from both the United States and Rwandan governments," he remarked.
Traxys CEO Mark Kristoff described the partnership as a model of aligned corporate values and long-term commitment.
Trinity Metals, established in 2022 through the merger of the Nyakabingo Tungsten Mine, Rutongo Tin Mine, and Musha Tin and Tantalum Mine, is Rwanda's largest producer of these three critical minerals.
The latest agreement follows a related development in May 2025, when Trinity Metals signed a letter of intent with U.S.-based metals firm Nathan Trotter to export Rwandan tin to the United States for the first time under this framework.
The signing took place at the U.S. Department of State and was witnessed by Kim Harrington, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Energy Resources.
The initiative aims to develop a sustainable, transparent supply chain for Rwandan tin, classified by the U.S. as a critical mineral, in support of national security and economic objectives.
These agreements come amid growing economic cooperation between Rwanda and the United States, reinforced by Rwanda's recent engagements in regional partnerships with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The deals signal the U.S' increasing interest in securing strategic mineral inputs from Africa to support domestic manufacturing in sectors ranging from electronics to electric vehicle batteries.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
