Rising Demand for Strategic Metals Boosts Africa’s Role in the Global Tech Supply Chain
Ruthenium and Tantalite Prices Surge to Multi-Year Highs as Demand for AI and Electronics Grows
Prices of ruthenium and tantalite, two strategic metals widely used in electronics, aerospace systems, and advanced computing technologies, have climbed to multi-year highs as global demand accelerates while supply remains constrained.
This market shift is strengthening the strategic position of African producers, particularly South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which play key roles in supplying these critical minerals to the global technology industry.
Ruthenium Prices Rise as Supply Remains Limited
Ruthenium, a lesser-known member of the platinum group metals (PGMs), has seen a sharp price increase, reaching about $1,750 per ounce in March, compared with roughly $560 a year earlier.
The metal is primarily produced as a by-product of platinum and other PGM mining, which limits the ability of producers to quickly increase supply. Because most PGM mining occurs in South Africa, global ruthenium output remains highly concentrated geographically.
Demand for the metal has been rising steadily due to its growing use in electronics, semiconductors, data storage technologies, and chemical processing.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, particularly cloud computing and data centers has further boosted consumption.
Market analysts expect the global ruthenium market to face a significant supply deficit in the coming years, reflecting the difficulty of expanding production in the short term.
Tantalite Prices Reach Two-Decade High
At the same time, the market for tantalite, the main ore used to produce tantalum, is experiencing strong price growth. European market prices have recently climbed to around $200–$210 per pound, marking the highest levels seen in more than two decades.
Tantalum derived from tantalite is a critical material used in electronic capacitors, aerospace components, industrial turbines, and nuclear technology. As demand for high-performance electronics and advanced computing infrastructure grows, consumption of tantalum-based components is also increasing.
Supply Disruptions in Central Africa
Recent supply concerns have been amplified by disruptions at the Rubaya columbite tantalite mining area in eastern DRC, where a landslide temporarily halted activity at one of the region’s key production sites.
Although much of the mining activity in the area operates outside formal industrial structures, the site plays an important role in the global supply chain.
A large portion of the material extracted from the region is exported to China, the world’s leading consumer of tantalum for electronics manufacturing.
The DRC has become the world’s dominant producer of tantalum, accounting for more than half of global output in recent years, while Rwanda also remains a significant supplier.
Declining PGM Output Tightens Ruthenium Supply
In the ruthenium market, supply pressure is also being reinforced by declining production of platinum group metals in South Africa.
Limited investment in new mining projects over the past two decades has slowed output growth, tightening the availability of by-product metals such as ruthenium.
Because ruthenium is not mined directly, any slowdown in platinum production directly affects its global supply.
Africa’s Strategic Position in the Tech Minerals Market
As demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced electronics, and aerospace technologies continues to expand, both ruthenium and tantalum are becoming increasingly critical to the global technology supply chain.
With vast mineral resources and a dominant share of global production, African countries particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa are positioned to play a decisive role in the supply of next-generation technology minerals.
If demand from AI, cloud computing, and advanced manufacturing continues to accelerate, analysts expect prices for both metals to remain elevated, further strengthening Africa’s importance in the global digital economy.
