Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Rwanda has made history in its mineral export, as the first containers of tungsten exported directly from Kigali to the United States arrived in Towanda, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, September 30.
The Washington, D.C., Embassy of Rwanda confirmed that the shipment, which was by Trinity Metals, made it to Global Tungsten and Powders (GTP), a Pennsylvania subsidiary of Plansee Group. GTP, the world leader in tungsten refining, converts raw material into powders and alloys that are important in aerospace, defense, and high-performance manufacturing.
This direct Rwanda-U.S. tungsten export is a significant step in strengthening bilateral trade relations and showcases Rwanda’s status as a credible exporter of strategic minerals,” the embassy said.
U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Eric Kneedler and Deputy Head of Mission at the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, Arthur Asiimwe, attended the event.
It began importing from Rwanda under an August commercial deal for processing into high-purity tungsten and tungsten carbide powders. These are essential in producing parts that power high-tech industries.
Trinity Metals Chairman Shawn McCormick called the development “an honor,” saying Trinity Metals’ almost 7,000 employees and the Rwandan government stand to benefit from greater market access. “Our material from Rwanda is being converted into products that will make America safer, stronger, more prosperous,” he said.
Eric Rowe, Plansee Group’s Director of Global Raw Materials, declared the arrival a milestone for the U.S. critical minerals supply chain. “It is truly a historic day to witness responsibly sourced Rwandan tungsten upon arrival,” he stated.
Traxys, a principal enabler in the deal, also greeted the milestone. “It is an honor to enable Africa’s largest tungsten producer to supply a consumer of GTP quality,” said Ioannis Kallinikos, Head of Tin and Specialty Metals.
Trinity Metals, owner of Rwanda’s Nyakabingo Mine, mines around 120 tonnes of wolframite a month, ranking fourth in the world in tungsten production. Formed in 2022 from the merger of three mature mines, it has become a top regional producer of conflict-free and child-free minerals. It is also the first African mining firm to secure access to technical assistance funding from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to enhance ESG standards.
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