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Exploring Tin, Tantalum, and Lithium in One of East Africa’s Most Promising Mining Regions

Rwanda is emerging as a key player in East Africa’s mining sector, offering a stable, transparent, and investor-friendly environment for mineral exploration.

With a strong focus on critical raw materials such as tin, tantalum, niobium, and lithium, the country is attracting growing interest from companies targeting energy transition metals.

Key advantages of investing in Rwanda’s mining industry include:

Clear and efficient mineral licensing backed by pro-investment government policy

Political stability and low corruption risk (World Bank governance rankings)

Access to a skilled, youthful workforce with support for technical training

Infrastructure improvements across mining regions, including roads and electrification

Strategic access to export markets via the Dar es Salaam and Mombasa corridors

With its supportive mining framework and untapped geological potential, Rwanda is well-positioned as a rising hub for sustainable critical mineral exploration in Africa.

Rwanda is emerging as a significant player in East Africa’s critical mineral supply chain, offering a stable political environment, supportive mining legislation, and growing infrastructure. Aterian’s Rwandan portfolio focuses on tin, tantalum, and niobium — key components in high-tech and energy transition applications.

Our Rwanda portfolio includes two strategically important projects:

Drilling for Lithium, Tantalum and Critical Metals with a Global Mining Leader

Located 65 km southwest of Kigali, the HCK Project is a 2,750-hectare exploration licence operated through a joint venture between Aterian and HCK Mining Company Ltd. Global major 

 is managing and funding drilling operations under an agreement to earn up to a 75% stake. Early drilling on the HCK-1 target has intersected multiple pegmatite dykes, with assay results due Q1 2025. This high-potential project strengthens Rwanda’s position as a key source of critical raw materials for the energy transition.

Unlocking Lithium, Tantalum, and Tin Potential in a Proven Mineral District

The Musasa Project lies in a highly prospective region of western Rwanda and is being expanded to cover a total of 3,100 hectares following Aterian’s invitation to negotiate a larger exploration licence with the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board. With targets for lithium, tantalum, niobium, tungsten, and tin, Musasa is positioned to play a key role in the global supply of battery and technology metals. The licence will be 100% held by Aterian’s subsidiary, Musasa Mining Ltd, following an agreement to acquire the remaining 15% interest from Kuaka Cooperative.

 — with growing interest in its potential as a future 

. A modernised mining code, political stability, and a globally recognised traceability system make it one of Africa’s most investor-friendly destinations.

 (S&P Global, 2020) for transparency and stability. 

 enables strategic buy-ins, offshore pricing advantages, and access to by-product credits. 

 in EVs and electronics, driven by Ta-Nb capacitor usage. 

 identified in unweathered LCT pegmatites. With its regulatory strength and untapped geological promise, Rwanda is rapidly advancing as a critical minerals growth centre.

3,000 hectares of highly prospective ground

 in Rwanda, targeting critical technology metals including 

tantalum, tin, niobium, tungsten, and lithium

. Our strategy combines exploration, partnerships, and trading to unlock value in one of East Africa’s most promising mining jurisdictions.

 – A 400-hectare licence adjacent to the HCK JV with Rio Tinto. Early work has identified 

 with potential for multiple mineralised systems. 

 – Driving expansion through direct exploration, 

partnerships with small-scale producers and near-production assets

 – Our Rwandan trading licence enables 

buy-in opportunities, improved offshore pricing

, enhancing portfolio flexibility and revenue potential. Aterian’s Rwanda operations are designed to support global demand for responsibly sourced critical minerals — with scale, strategy, and sustainability at the core.

 has become a key driver of the nation’s economic growth, contributing 

significantly to GDP and foreign exchange earnings

tin (cassiterite), tantalum (coltan), and tungsten (wolframite)

—Rwanda is well-positioned in the critical minerals supply chain.

one of the few African nations investing heavily in value addition

refineries for tantalum, gold, and tin smelting facilities

stable political climate and investment incentives

Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board (RMB)

exploration, mineral processing, and responsible mining practices

small-scale mining formalization, international partnerships, and digitalized traceability systems

ethical sourcing and sustainable resource management

exploration, mine development, and technology-driven mineral processing projects

battery metals and technology-critical minerals

 rises, Rwanda is strengthening its role in 

Explore the FAQs below to learn more about Rwanda’s mining sector, investment climate, and key mineral projects.

A Rising Force in Sustainable Mining