A significant step towards bolstering the United States’ critical mineral supply chain and fostering economic growth was taken this month as Rwandan mining company Trinity Metals and Nathan Trotter, North America’s largest tin manufacturer, signed a letter of intent to establish a new tin supply route from Rwanda to the US. The agreement, valued at a reported $100 million, was formalized at the US Department of State on or around Tuesday, May 14, 2025.
This strategic partnership is a key component of broader US efforts to onshore the sourcing of critical minerals, thereby enhancing national security and promoting domestic economic development, according to the US Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources. The deal signals growing US confidence in Rwanda as a reliable supplier of responsibly mined materials.
Trinity Metals, which operates three mining and exploration companies in Rwanda focusing on tin, tungsten, and tantalum, views the US market as a prime opportunity. Peter Geleta, CEO of Trinity Metals Group, highlighted the immense potential, stating, “The letter of intent Trinity has signed with Nathan Trotter to supply tin from our mines in Rwanda is an important step towards strengthening relationships with the US and securing a stable demand for our minerals. This is also a testament of the US government’s confidence in Trinity Metal’s responsible mining agenda.”
Geleta emphasized the long-term prospects, noting, “The size of the US economy and its growth trajectory will mean that there will always be a strong demand for critical minerals from the US. With this, Rwanda is ideally placed to provide minerals to the US for many years to come.”
Trinity Metals has made substantial investments in its Rwandan operations, pouring over $35 million into its Rutongo, Musha, and Nyakabingo mines in the last three years, resulting in a more than threefold increase in production volumes. Notably, its Nyakabingo Mine is now Africa’s largest tungsten producer and ranks fourth globally.
The US government has shown increasing interest and support for Rwanda’s mining sector. In June 2024, Trinity Metals secured a $3.85 million Technical Assistance Grant from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), marking the first time an operating mine in Africa has received such support from the DFC. This grant is aimed at bolstering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives across Trinity’s operations.
Currently, Trinity Metals exports its tin concentrate primarily to Thailand and its tungsten concentrate to Austria. This new agreement with Nathan Trotter signifies a pivotal diversification of its export market.
Economists have lauded the deal, viewing it as a significant opportunity for Rwanda and the broader African continent, particularly in light of ongoing global trade tensions. Straton Habyarimana, an economist, commented to The New Times (Rwanda), “For example, in 2023, the US imported $276 billion of minerals, mostly from China. With the trade war going on, the US wants to diversify its sources of minerals. A good opportunity for Rwanda and Africa to tap into that huge market.”
Jean Marie Vianney Samarwa, an economics lecturer at Institut Catholique de Kabgayi, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential for increased GDP, job creation, and improved mining practices in Rwanda. “When the mineral extraction sector is more developed, this attracts many other investors and again new markets, increasing activities in the mining sector,” he stated.
The agreement follows a series of high-level US delegations to Rwanda in recent months, underscoring the growing strategic importance of the region’s mineral resources to the United States. As the US seeks to reduce its reliance on traditional suppliers and build more resilient and diversified supply chains, partnerships like the one between Trinity Metals and Nathan Trotter are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the global critical minerals landscape. This development is also anticipated to attract further international investment into Rwanda’s burgeoning mining industry.
