Ninety-six years after Rwanda first entered the mining industry, the sector remains one of the country’s most dynamic economic engines, employing more than 92,000 people and contributing roughly 3% to national GDP. Export earnings have also seen remarkable expansion, rising from $373 million in 2017 to $1.7 billion last year.
Rwanda’s mineral portfolio includes wolframite, cassiterite, and coltan—processed respectively into tungsten, tin, and tantalum—with national production averaging between 8,000 and 10,000 tons annually. The country also mines gold, sapphire, and lithium, while ongoing exploration continues to identify new resource-rich zones. Government policy has increasingly emphasized domestic value addition through local refining and smelting.
Gold Refining Capacity Surges
A major driver of this transformation is the Gasabo Gold Refinery, now in its sixth year of operation. With an annual capacity of 96 tons, the refinery is currently functioning at about 30%—equivalent to 28.8 tons of refined gold per year. Monthly throughput has climbed dramatically from 600 kilograms in its early stages to 2.5 tons today.
“We began by processing around 600 kilograms per month, and today we are at 2.5 tons,” Director Kayobotsi Bosco told IGIHE, noting steady and sustained growth. The facility refines gold sourced from Rwanda and six other African countries designated as non-conflict regions.
Kayobotsi said regional partners prefer refining their gold in Rwanda because of its strong security environment. The plant employs 42 Rwandans and plans to reach half of its operational capacity—approximately four tons per month—by next year.
Refining also yields significant financial advantages. Gold purified to 99.99% sells for more than $134,000 per kilogram, compared to about $120,000 for raw gold. Silver recovered during processing, often discarded in unrefined exports, can earn upwards of $1,800 per kilogram.
Tin Production Expands at LuNa Smelter
The country’s tin-processing capacity has also grown. LuNa Smelter, which began operations in 2018/2019, has increased output from 100 tons to more than 250 tons of tin per month, achieving a purification rate of 99.95%. Interim operations manager Parfait Udakemwa said the plant aims to reach 320 tons next year and has set a five-year goal of hitting 600 tons per month.
The smelter employs 161 workers and sources cassiterite from multiple mining sites throughout Rwanda. With the ability to smelt up to 360 tons of ore monthly, LuNa Smelter is considered a cornerstone of the country’s value-addition strategy.
Rwanda Embraces Robotics in Mining
Rwanda is also entering a new technological era in the mining sector. The industry has shifted from basic, manual methods to research-driven geological practices—and now, to robotics designed to increase worker safety and operational efficiency.
In partnership with Zora Robotics, the government plans to introduce robots capable of navigating underground tunnels to assess rock stability, measure toxic gases, and monitor miners in real time. The machines, powered by 5G connectivity, are expected to inspect tunnels before workers enter, reducing accidents and improving overall productivity.
Zora Robotics CEO Benjamin Karenzi said the company already operates more than 60 robots across various sectors and is ready to support Rwanda’s mining modernization. The technology—already in use in South Africa—could cost up to 120 million Rwandan francs per mine.
Growing Investor Confidence
The push for technological innovation has attracted foreign investors, including British businessman Ray Power, whose Bugesera-based company processes 120 tons of coltan each month. Power said enhanced worker safety helps build trust with international clients and strengthens long-term business relationships.
Ambitious Targets for 2029
Rwanda’s long-term strategy aims to raise mineral export revenues to $2.2 billion by 2029 and improve mineral recovery rates from 40% to 80%. In May 2025, the government identified 13,454 hectares of new mineral-rich zones, with additional discoveries expected as exploration intensifies.
As Rwanda accelerates its investment in refining, technology, and safety, the country is positioning itself as a continental leader in responsible, high-value mineral production—setting the stage for another decade of growth in one of its most vital sectors.
