Mining in Rwanda


Mining in Rwanda consists of extracting such minerals as tin, tantalum, and tungsten. In 2017, Rwanda earned about US$373m from mineral exports which constitute 14.9% of total exports, making mining the biggest source of export revenues after tourism.

Minerals extracted

In October 2012, Rwanda's Ministry of Natural Resources suspended mining activities in the country's western province on the basis that they were endangering the River Sebeya. The decision was met with negativity due to the affected mining companies’ loss of production and the loss of thousands of jobs for workers at the mines.