Rwanda Opens New Mining Blocks to Boost Investment in Strategic Minerals
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 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, with interested investors required to register based on the Pitchbook released on December 3, 2025. Duly signed applications must be 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, RMB’s Chief Executive Officer.
A New Round of Exploration
The 10 new blocks include four already explored by RMB, considered among Rwanda’s most promising 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, and 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 opportunities:
Binyeri (Kamonyi District, 70 ha): Cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, lithium, and beryllium
Musenyi (Bugesera District, 1,100 ha): Tin-bearing pegmatites in Bugesera granite, with grades up to 0.2%
Rubiha (Gatsibo District): Tin-rich zone, cassiterite purity 90–99%
Minazi (Gakenke District): Tantalum, gemstones, traces of gold; ~12,000 tonnes of tantalum resources
Shyorongi (Rulindo District): Niobium, cassiterite, tungsten, gold linked to leucogranite intrusions
Bihembe (Rwamagana District): Leucogranites rich in tantalum and rare metals
Kabagari-Kinihira (Ruhango District): Lithium, beryllium, gemstones
Nyamyumba-Kivumu (Rubavu District): Tin, tungsten, beryl
Bushekeri-Rangiro (Nyamasheke District): Gemstones including sapphire, ruby, amethyst; 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 blocks, the government aims to attract exploration capital, strengthen local expertise, and boost exports.
Uwase emphasized that RMB will maintain strict technical and environmental standards as competition increases.
“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 close on March 3, 2026, signaling another opportunity for investors to participate in Rwanda’s growing strategic minerals sector.
