Rwanda Launches 10 New Mining Blocks for Exploration in Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten, Lithium, and Gemstones
Rwanda’s mining sector is attracting renewed investor interest as the government reports at least 73 applications for the 10 mining blocks unveiled in mid-2025.
According to the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), the initial competition has already resulted in successful awards for blocks including Nduba, Rweru-Kimvubu, Juru, Mamfu-Rwasama, Remera, Rugarama, and Rweru.
Building on this momentum, the government has opened another 10 mining blocks for field visits between February 16 and 20, 2026. Interested investors were required to register based on the Pitchbook released on December 3, 2025, with duly signed applications submitted to the RMB Chief Executive Officer by March 3, 2026.
“From our previous experience, competition was intense: we received 73 applications for 10 blocks. We hope to double that number this time,” said Alice Uwase, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board.
A New Round of Exploration
The 10 new blocks include four already explored by RMB, considered among Rwanda’s most promising sites for tin, tantalum, tungsten (3Ts), beryllium, and lithium.
Four additional blocks are targeted for fresh exploration of similar minerals, while two are dedicated to gemstones, including sapphires.
The blocks include:
- Bihembe
- Rubiha
- Musenyi
- Nyamyumba-Kivumu
- Shyorongi
- Binyeri
- Kanama
- Minazi
- Bushekeri-Rangiro
- Kabagari-Kinihira
Uwase encouraged investors to consider joint ventures to strengthen compliance and financial capacity, noting that technical expertise remains the key evaluation criterion.
“Finances alone are not enough. You may have all the money, but you need the right people on the ground. This is what we assess first, along with equipment,” she said, emphasizing RMB’s expectation of competitive bids.
Mineral Potential Across the Blocks
Each block offers distinct exploration opportunities:
Binyeri (Kamonyi District, 70 ha): Cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, lithium, and beryllium.
Musenyi (Bugesera District, 1,100 ha): Tin-bearing pegmatites within Bugesera granite, with grades reaching up to 0.2%.
Rubiha (Gatsibo District): A tin-rich zone with cassiterite purity between 90% and 99%.
Minazi (Gakenke District): Tantalum, gemstones, and traces of gold, with approximately 12,000 tonnes of tantalum resources.
Shyorongi (Rulindo District): Niobium, cassiterite, tungsten, and gold associated with leucogranite intrusions.
Bihembe (Rwamagana District): Leucogranites rich in tantalum and other rare metals.
Kabagari-Kinihira (Ruhango District): Lithium, beryllium, and gemstones.
Nyamyumba-Kivumu (Rubavu District): Tin, tungsten, and beryl.
Bushekeri-Rangiro (Nyamasheke District): Gemstones including sapphire, ruby, and amethyst, with sapphire crystals up to 8 mm.
Kanama (Rubavu District, Gishwati Complex): Tourmaline, sapphire, beryl, almandine, and recoverable dolerite boulders.
Rwanda as a Tech-Minerals Hub
Rwanda is positioning itself as a key player in global supply chains for minerals used in electronics, batteries, and clean-energy technologies.
By opening these new mining blocks, the government aims to attract exploration capital, strengthen local technical expertise, and increase mineral exports.
Uwase emphasized that RMB will maintain strict technical and environmental standards as competition intensifies.
“We hope to see even stronger interest this time. The more competition, the better the outcomes for Rwanda’s mining future,” she said.
Applications for the new mining blocks closed on March 3, 2026, marking another opportunity for investors to participate in Rwanda’s growing strategic minerals sector.
