First shipment of tungsten from Rwanda arrives in US

[Ben Graham]

The first shipment of tungsten concentrate (WO3) from Trinity Metals’ Nyakabingo mine in Rwanda arrived this week at Global Tungsten and Powders’ (GTP) plant in Towanda, Pennsylvania. 

Officials from Trinity Metals, GTP and Traxys were joined at the facility by the US Ambassador to Rwanda and The Deputy Rwandan Ambassador to the US to witness the arrival.  

GTP is the largest tungsten processor in the US and is part of Austria’s Plansee Group, a global manufacturer of tungsten-made components used in aerospace, defense and industrial applications. 

Tungsten is listed by the US government as a critical mineral needed to support the economy and enhance national security. The country has not mined tungsten domestically since 2015, while its chief rival China accounts for about 83% of global supply. 

Under the commercial agreement reached in August, GTP’s processing facilities have begun receiving material from Rwanda for processing into high-quality tungsten and tungsten carbide powders that are used to produce finished components for industrial end uses.  

“It is an honor to see our material from Rwanda here at one of the largest tungsten processors in the world being converted into products that will help make America safer, stronger, more prosperous,” Trinity Metals Chairman Shawn McCormick said in a news release.  

“In turn, the nearly 7,000 employees of Trinity Metals and government of Rwanda will benefit from such market access and the deepening of strategic ties between the two countries,” McCormick said.  

Trinity Metals was formed in 2022 by merging three historic mines, Nyakabingo tungsten mine, Rutongo tin Mine and Musha tin and tantalum mine making it the largest producer of conflict-free and child labor-free critical minerals in Rwanda, the company said.  

Trinity said it has also discovered a highly prospective Lithium deposit called Ntunga on its Musha concession.  

It is also the first operating mine in Africa to secure technical assistance funding from the US International Development Finance Corporation to support environmental and social governance initiatives across its operations.