The announcement was made by Trinity Metals CEO Peter Geleta during a discussion organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Rwanda (AmCham Rwanda).
Trinity Metals joined AmCham earlier this year, with Peter Geleta now serving on its board of directors. The company has also made history as the first in the Great Lakes region to export Tungsten minerals to the United States.
The discussions focused on highlighting opportunities in Rwanda's mining sector and presenting investment prospects to American investors.
In an interview with IGIHE, Geleta said, 'We are hoping to bring the DFC [Development Finance Corporation] as an equity partner in the future. So, we thought joining the American Chamber of Commerce is very important because of the U.S. links. We are optimistic about helping Rwanda by attracting more U.S. investors to the country.'
Currently, Trinity Metals has invested $40 million in various mines, including Nyakabingo (producing Wolfram), Musha (producing Cassiterite, Coltan, and Lithium, currently under research), and Rutongo (producing Cassiterite).
The company employs over 7,000 workers. In 2024, Trinity Metals exported 2,226 tons of Wolfram, Cassiterite, and Coltan, and by 2029, it plans to increase exports to 5,201 tons.
Geleta shared, 'We're very proud of the fact that we are Rwanda's largest private employer, with 7,000 people. We're also proud of our excellent safety record since we started three and a half years ago. For example, our lost time injury frequency rate is 0.12, which meets global standards. We are proud of the progress we have made, having quadrupled our output since we began.'
When the company started mining Cassiterite, it was extracting 10 tons per month. Today, it has increased to 80 tons per month in the Rutongo mines. In Musha, they started with 12 tons per month and have now reached 30 tons. In Nyakabingo, they began with 29 tons per month and now extract 100 tons per month.
'We are now the largest Tungsten producer in Africa. In the next five years, we plan to invest $100 million, which will help us set up processing plants at each mine, expand our equipment, and increase our production,' Geleta said.
Trinity Metals aims to produce 250 tons of Tungsten per month from Nyakabingo in the next five years. In Musha, it will reach 100 tons, and in Rutongo, Cassiterite production is expected to grow from 80 tons to 200 tons per month.
'In Musha, we will also mine Lithium. We have already completed a drill program. In Ntunga, we are seeking investment to develop the mine sufficiently for substantial research. We are also exploring ways to bring investors in to develop the lithium mine,' Geleta added.
According to the company's five-year plan, the workforce is expected to grow to 10,000 employees.
Recently, the first containers carrying Tungsten, processed into Tungsten powder, arrived at the Towanda market in Pennsylvania, United States. Trinity Metals had partnered with Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP), a company that processes minerals into hard metals used in various industries.
Geleta noted, 'We have a contract to send 16 containers of Tungsten per year for the next two years. They require more. We are also sending products to Austria. As we increase production, we will also increase our shipments.'
Additionally, Geleta mentioned that the company is exploring contracts for shipping Cassiterite to the United States. Currently, they export Cassiterite to Thailand.
Rwanda's mineral exports have grown significantly since 2017. The country's mineral exports increased from $373 million to $1.7 billion in 2024.
According to the 2024 report from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the United States invested $441.3 million in 31 projects in Rwanda. In 2024, trade between Rwanda and the U.S. reached $368.9 million, with $74.9 million in goods exchanged and $294 million in services.
These numbers reflect the contributions of 56 members of AmCham. The Chamber is now led by Ivan Mbaraga, the Executive Director of Oklahoma Christian University Rwanda Campus (OC Rwanda) and President of the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Rwanda.
Mbaraga commented, 'Apart from showcasing opportunities in mining and energy, such kinds of conversations open up opportunities for young people to think broadly, such that they are able to harness opportunities not only in the Rwanda mining sector but also in the region.'
'We wanted to highlight opportunities in the mining sector for both AmCham members and those at OC. It aligns with encouraging people to participate in the mining week next month. We also wanted our students to consider broadening their horizons and thinking beyond just mining in Rwanda but across the region.'
The partnership between OC and the Rwandan Government has lasted for 19 years. By next year, over 800 students will have graduated from the university across various departments. Mbaraga views this as a significant opportunity to create diverse employment opportunities.
Mbaraga also mentioned plans to increase the number of American businesses and their affiliates in Rwanda, which will double AmCham's investment in the next two years.
IGIHE
