Those who say so simply ignore facts– Mutsindashyaka of REWU to claims that Rwanda has no mineral resources

The Secretary General of the Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU), André Mutsindashyaka, has reaffirmed that Rwanda possesses a wealth of mineral resources, contrary to the claims made by those who wish ill upon the country.

He made these remarks during RBA’s Waramutse Rwanda program on 30 April 2025, which focused on the progress of Rwanda’s mining sector and the broader impact it has on the country’s development and on its citizens.

Mining activities in Rwanda began during the colonial era in the 1930s. After colonial rule, the sector was nationalised before being fully handed over to private investors.

Mutsindashyaka said there is ample evidence proving that Rwanda has mineral resources, despite some individuals denying it.

He noted, “The leading company in Africa for wolfram mining is based here in Rwanda – in Shyorongi, Rulindo District, in the Northern Province. Take Muhanga District as an example – it has 12 administrative sectors, and only one of them, Shyogwe, does not have mining activities. All the other sectors have active mining companies.”

“Mining also takes place in Kamonyi and Gakenke; in Gakenke alone there are around 17 mining companies. When people think of Rwandan mining, they usually mention the mines in Rutongo, Musha, Rwinkwavu, Gifurwe or Burera, but there are also gold mining operations in Miyove and other places. Rwanda does indeed have mineral resources; what the authorities are doing is simply ensuring the sector is regulated and not chaotic.”

Thomas Hubakimana, head of Big Mining – a mining company operating in Ruhango District – added that the fact that neighbouring countries have minerals is proof that Rwanda does as well.

“How would minerals exist in neighboring countries but skip Rwanda altogether? Would they say, ‘This is Rwanda, I’m not staying, I’m off to another country’?”

At Big Mining, the company extracts coltan mixed with cassiterite, producing around 3.7 tonnes per month, according to Hubakimana. The company employs 512 workers.

The mining sector generated $1.7 billion in revenue in 2024, up from $1.1 billion the previous year. Back in 2017, mining revenues stood at just $360 million.

This increase in output is linked to professional workforce growth and the use of modern mining equipment replacing traditional methods, Mutsindashyaka explained.

Today, Rwanda has several mineral processing plants that add value before export. These include Luna Smelter for cassiterite and Gasabo Gold Refinery for gold.

Mutsindashyaka noted that once minerals are processed to a level suitable for industrial use before being exported, their value increases significantly – which he believes is the real reason why some people try to deny Rwanda’s mineral wealth.

“Those who say Rwanda has no minerals are simply ignoring the facts. The colonialists came here and mined starting in the 1930s. They knew very well they were extracting valuable resources, and they didn’t exhaust them.”

The impact of mining on citizens’ lives

Apart from a few mines in Kigali – such as GAMICO’s site in Nyarugenge District – most mining operations are located in rural areas.

The sector provides employment to a significant portion of the population, currently engaging around 81,000 workers, up from 32,000 in 2017. Back then, only 5% of workers had formal contracts – now the figure has risen to 34%.

Previously, employers struggled to pay workers consistently, but today, some miners can earn up to RWF 3 million per month depending on their productivity.

Currently, 64% of workers in the sector own homes purchased with income earned from mining – a strong indicator of the sector’s impact. This is in addition to the improvements they bring to their communities.

Hubakimana said that his company pays health insurance for 400 to 500 vulnerable people living near its operations every year. Other initiatives include giving livestock to help families rise out of poverty, constructing or repairing houses for those in need, and partnering with the government to build essential infrastructure such as water points and roads.