From a vast opencast area where white pegmatites are mined, to the conveyors that feed the material into machines that rigorously sort it, Rukaragata mine in Ngororero District in Western Province carries out each process in a fully mechanised manner, being one of the few fully mechanised mines in the region.

Coltan is one of the most sought-after minerals around the world currently, thanks to its critical role in the production of computers and other electronics that are driving the information age.

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When refined, two important minerals – tantalum and niobium, are extracted from Coltan. Tantalum, is an essential component in capacitors which regulate the flow of electricity in tiny circuit boards found in devices like computers and smartphones, while niobium is used in oil and gas pipelines, beams and girders for buildings and oil rigs, welding, electronics, optics, and so on.

Rukaragata mine processes up to 50 tonnes of coltan per hour, using modern equipment and innovative processing techniques, an approach that not only boosts production but also aims to reduce the environmental impact of mining activities.

The mine is working towards zero waste as part of its commitment to minimise waste and recycle resources where possible.

The particular area from which the mine operates in Ngororero district boasts substantial wealth of pegmatites that host both coltan and cassiterite, which can be viably mined for more than 15 years in the future, with potential for further discoveries.

Matevz Pavlic, Sector Chief of Mining at Power Resources International Ltd, a UK-based company running the mine, says the area’s geology is part of the Kibaran-Angolan Belt, a geological region that spans parts of Central Africa, particularly in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and extends into Zambia and Tanzania.

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The belt is significant for its role in the Earth&039;s ancient geological history and its mineral resources, as it is home to some of the richest deposits of copper, cobalt, and other valuable metals in the world.

He noted that a feasibility study has revealed a 600-meter-long ore body, but Pavulic notes that further exploration is needed to determine the full extent of the mineral deposits.

"Currently, we have enough reserves to sustain production for around 16 years, but with planned exploration, we expect to extend this to 20 or more years," he adds.

How the mechanised mining process goes

Mining at Rukaragata begins at an opencast site where excavators dig into white and red soft rocks which host the minerals. The excavated ore is then mechanically loaded onto trucks and transported to the nearby processing area.

"The plant’s capacity is 50 tonnes per hour," explains David Rusizana, a consulting metallurgist at the mine.

At the plant, the material is washed to remove larger stones, leaving only particles smaller than 2 millimetres. The smaller particles are then sent to the concentrator area, where equipment like spirals, shaking tables, and MGS (Multi Gravity Separators) further process the material.

"After processing, we obtain a pre-concentrate that contains a mix of Coltan and Cassiterite. The next step is separation," Rusizana explains.

"Using magnetic separators, we separate Coltan from Cassiterite. This results in minerals ready for export," he adds.

Typically, the concentrate contains 60 percent Coltan and 40 percent Cassiterite.

Further processing at Bugesera

From Rukangara, the separated Coltan and Cassiterite are transported to Bugesera in Eastern Province for further processing. Here, the Coltan is refined to produce tantalum and niobium, essential metals used in various high-tech applications.

"Tantalum and niobium are crucial metals used in capacitors, which are found in devices like iPhones. Without niobium, there would be no MRI machines or turbine blades," says Rusizana.

Ray Power, CEO of Power Resources International, notes that the mine currently produces 20 tons of Coltan and 20 tons of Cassiterite per month, but with further investment in the future, the numbers can even grow four fold.

"We have to work together with the regulator (Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board). We cannot just do it quickly; we cannot rush. We have to make a proper plan. So, this is what we're working on at the moment,” he said.

Donat Nsengumuremyi, Division Manager for Mining and Inspection at the Rwanda Mine, Petroleum, and Gas Board (RMB), highlighted the widespread presence of pegmatites across Rwanda, which are key sources of Coltan and Cassiterite.

"Pegmatites are found in various mining parts of the country especially in the West and East Provinces. These deposits are crucial for extracting Coltan and Cassiterite," he noted.

He also emphasized the importance of mechanisation in the country’s mining sector, noting that though mechanisation is still limited, efforts are being made to promote further technological advancements.

"Mechanisation requires significant investment, but we are working to increase its adoption across the country," he pointed out, adding that Rwanda is looking to establish more smelters for minerals in order to add more value before exporting.

"We already have smelters for Cassiterite, Coltan, and gold, and we are exploring further opportunities to set up more refineries for minerals like lithium which have recently been discovered," he noted.