First Shipment of Rwandan Wolfram Arrives in the United States

By Prince Boris Cyubahiro.

Rwanda has exported its first batch of Wolfram (Tungsten) to the United States, marking a significant step in the country’s growing mineral trade.

The containers arrived at Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP) in Towanda, Pennsylvania. The Rwandan mining company Trinity Metals supplied the Wolfram, which will be processed into high-strength powders and metals used in aerospace, defense, and industrial machinery.

Deputy Chief of Mission to the U.S., Arthur Asiimwe, joined U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Eric Kneedler and GTP executives to receive the shipment. “This shipment demonstrates Rwanda’s reliability as a partner in exporting essential minerals,” said a statement from the Rwandan Embassy on September 30, 2025.

The Wolfram was mined at Nyakabingo Mines in Rulindo District, which produces approximately 1,000 metric tons per year. Trinity Metals signed an agreement with GTP in August 2025 to export the first batches to the U.S., following a ceremonial packing event attended by key officials.

Tungsten is widely used in construction, aerospace, rockets, firearms, and ammunition due to its density and durability. Trinity Metals processes the mineral to 68% purity before export, while partner companies refine it further for industrial applications. According to Rwanda’s Mines, Petroleum & Gas Board (RMB), about 24 metric tons of Wolfram are exported weekly.

Rwanda’s “Tungsten Belt” stretches from Mageragere in Kigali through Rulindo, Gifurwe, and Bugarama in Burera, offering a steady supply of the mineral. Until now, the primary export destination for Nyakabingo’s Wolfram was Austria, which received 1,107 metric tons in 2024.

Trinity Metals, founded in 2022, has invested $40 million in its mines, including Nyakabingo, Musha, and Rutongo, covering tungsten, tin, coltan, and lithium exploration. It is also the first African mining company supported by the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC), with a focus on environmental sustainability and governance.

GTP, part of Pennsylvania-based Plansee Group, has over 100 years of experience processing Wolfram into materials used in high-tech industries.

This first shipment represents a step forward for Rwanda in establishing itself as a stable and reliable supplier of industrial minerals.