Trinity Metals plans to triple production at Nyakabingo by 2027 through a $50 million expansion project.

Exports from Rwanda’s Nyakabingo tungsten mine now account for as much as 20% of average monthly U.S. consumption of primary tungsten concentrate, according to an update released on June 17 by mine operator Trinity Metals. The figure highlights Rwanda’s growing role in supplying a strategic mineral that has become increasingly important to the United States.

The U.S. government classifies tungsten as a critical mineral because of its use in defense applications, where its high density and resistance to extreme temperatures make it essential for a range of military and industrial products.

Between 2021 and 2024, U.S. buyers relied primarily on China for tungsten supplies. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, China accounted for 26% of U.S. supply during that period, ahead of Germany (14%), Bolivia (8%), and Vietnam (8%). Rwanda did not appear among the identified suppliers in a ranking that included ore, concentrates, and processed tungsten products.

The latest figures from Trinity Metals suggest that picture is beginning to change. The company signed an agreement less than a year ago with U.S. refiner Global Tungsten and Powders to supply concentrate from Nyakabingo to the American market. Since then, more than 320 tons of concentrate have been shipped from the mine. Deliveries doubled from the previous month, allowing the company to reach the 20% share it now claims.

Benefiting From America’s Search for New Suppliers

Trinity Metals’ growing presence in the U.S. market reflects a broader shift in global supply chains.

The United States is seeking to reduce its dependence on China, which controls more than 80% of global tungsten supply. That concentration has become a growing concern after Beijing introduced restrictions on exports of dual-use tungsten products. As a result, new suppliers are finding opportunities as U.S. manufacturers look for alternative sources.

“Demand for tungsten in the U.S. is growing fast, both for defense and industrial applications. With that growth, import requirements are increasing, while U.S. domestic production remains at zero. China, which controls over 80% of the supply of tungsten units worldwide, has restricted exports of tungsten for dual-use purposes, making Trinity Metals’ supply from Rwanda increasingly important for American national security and that of its allies,” said Shawn McCormick, president of Trinity Metals.

Nyakabingo also has significant room for expansion. The company plans to triple production through a new $50 million processing plant scheduled to begin operations by 2027. Trinity Metals CEO Peter Geleta confirmed the project in an interview with Reuters in May.

To finance the expansion, the company plans to pursue a listing on the New York Stock Exchange within the next 12 to 18 months and aims to raise between $100 million and $200 million in an initial funding round.

How quickly those ambitions translate into higher output remains to be seen. While Trinity Metals describes itself as Rwanda’s largest producer and exporter of minerals, Nyakabingo is not the country’s only tungsten source. The mine currently produces about 50 tons per month, while Rwanda’s total tungsten output reached 1,300 tons in 2025, according to the USGS.