The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has announced August 16, 2025 as the deadline for investors to submit applications for licenses to operate in 10 ready-to-invest-in mining concessions or blocks across the country. To win one concession, an investor must be ready to invest a minimum of Rwf2.8 billion for medium-scale operations and Rwf7 billion for large-scale operations.

There are eight ready-to-mine large-scale blocks namely, Rweru, Rweru-Kimvubu, Rugarama, Nduba, Remera, Musenyi, Mamfu-Rwasama, and Juru, and two medium-scale blocks, which are Rubiha and Binyeri.

According to RMB, the licenses up for bidding are for mining operations involving cassiterite, columbite-tantalite (coltan), and wolframite.

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On July 15, RMB chief executive Francis Kamanzi told Members of Parliament that these blocks are available for qualified investors, both local and foreign. He added that confirmed mineral deposits exist in each of the blocks.

"We designated eight of these blocks for large-scale operations to attract serious and capable investors, including foreign companies,” Kamanzi said, as he appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), responding to concerns over abandoned mining sites, which were documented in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2023/24.

These dormant sites, according to lawmakers, could become hotspots for illegal mining activities.

Overview of the 10 mining blocks

1. Remera Block

Remera mining block is located in former Bugarura-Kuluti concession in Gatsibo District. It spans 4,025 hectares and contains cassiterite and coltan.

2. Nduba Block

Covering 3,650 hectares, Nduba mining block includes areas in Rulindo and Gasabo districts and contains cassiterite and coltan.

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3. Rugarama Block

Located in Gatsibo District, Rugarama covers 2,175 hectares with deposits of cassiterite and coltan.

4. Rweru-Kimvubu Block

Situated in Bugesera District, this block spans 1,300 hectares, containing cassiterite and coltan.

5. Mamfu-Rwasama Block

Also in Gatsibo District, this block covers 1,300 hectares with cassiterite and coltan.

6. Juru Block

Located in Bugesera District, Juru spans 1,225 hectares and features cassiterite and coltan. It lies within the Rukomo geological formation.

7. Musenyi Block

Covering 1,000 hectares, Musenyi is also in Bugesera District and contains cassiterite and coltan.

8. Rweru Block

Located in Bugesera District, this block covers 875 hectares and holds cassiterite and coltan.

9. Rubiha Block

With an area of 450 hectares between Rugarama, Rwimbogo, and Gitoki sectors in Gatsibo District, this block contains cassiterite, coltan, and wolframite.

10. Binyeri Block

Situated in Kamonyi District’s Rukoma Sector, about 6 km east of the Kayenzi granite, it holds deposits of cassiterite and coltan.

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Evaluation criteria for bidders

Regarding technical and financial capacity, applicants must have a track record of experience, which features a copy of a mining license or permit, as well as proof of financial capacity. For large-scale blocks, the minimum financial capacity is $5 million (approx. Rwf7 billion), while medium-scale blocks require at least $2 million (Rwf2.8 billion).

The bidding firm must provide audited financial statements for the past three consecutive years or proof of financial support from a parent company. If using debt financing, a line of credit from a recognised financial institution is required.

Applicants must outline the total investment planned for the first five years (in Rwandan francs), funding sources, and the percentage contribution of each source, and a letter of commitment signed by the company’s board of directors.

Currently, the mining sector is Rwanda’s largest earner of export revenues. In 2024, mineral export revenues reached $1.7 billion (approx. Rwf2.4 trillion), up by 54 per cent from $1.1 billion in 2023.

The government targets to generate $2.17 billion in annual mineral exports by 2029, under the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).