When Thomas Niyomugabo graduated from the University of Rwanda's (UR) School of Mining and Geology (SMG), on October 17, 2025, he did not expect to enter the workforce quite so quickly.

Barely a month later, he secured a position as a mine geologist at Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation.

His rapid transition from classroom to career reflects growing investment in practical training, modern laboratories, specialised equipment and strong collaboration between the university and mining companies offering professional internships to students before they graduate.

On December 4, during the 8th edition of Rwanda Mining Week, Niyomugabo presented his dissertation project , the research that helped him excel academically and strengthened his competitiveness in the labour market.

The side event at the School of Mining and Geology, College of Science and Technology (CST), brought together government representatives, industry leaders, students, graduates and academics.

Innocent Bizimana, Mining Manager at Ngali Mining Ltd, reminded participants that Rwanda’s next great mineral revolution will be driven by its young professionals.

He stressed that disciplines taught at the school—stratigraphy, structural geology, geochemistry, mining engineering, mineral processing and environmental management— "are not merely academic exercises but the foundations of a new generation of responsible mining.”

Bizimana added that only skilled, ethical and globally competitive graduates can transform ancient mineral deposits into sustainable economic opportunities.

His message aligns with the view of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), which highlights that academia and skills development are crucial to making Rwanda Africa’s leading mining investment destination and a regional hub for mineral processing and value addition.

Niyomugabo explained how internships shaped both his professional skills and his dissertation topic.

"When I was still at school I got a professional internship in two companies. One is Ubora Minerals Company Limited where I was involved in Tin exploration in Tanzania in 2025 as a final student. In 2024 from January to March 2024, I got an academic internship at Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation. The idea of an academic dissertation project on Tin emerged from such experience,” he said.

His study investigates why tin occurs in specific rocks within the Rwinkwavu Mining Concession in south-eastern Rwanda.

The area is composed of ancient schists and quartzites, with tin mainly hosted in quartz veins that formed as hot, mineral-rich fluids travelled through cracks in the rocks.

These fractures—faults, shear zones and other structures—acted as pathways for the fluids that deposited tin.

By conducting detailed field mapping, studying thin sections under a microscope, and testing samples using XRF analysis, Niyomugabo demonstrated that tin concentrations are highest where quartz veins intersect schist.

His work suggests that both host rock type and structural deformation strongly influence tin distribution.

He recommends further geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys to improve exploration efficiency.

Innovation is not limited to geology.

Vivier Irakoze Nziza, a mining engineering student, and Derick Iradukunda, a student in electrical and telecommunication engineering, are developing a low-cost machine-health monitoring device for mining equipment.

Their prototype identifies early signs of machine failure by monitoring sound and temperature in real time.

A microcontroller processes sensor data and triggers alerts when thresholds are exceeded, helping to prevent breakdowns, reduce downtime and improve safety.

Their project supports predictive maintenance, an increasingly important aspect of modern mining operations.

According to Prof Digne Edmond Rwabuhungu, Dean of the School of Mining and Geology, eight student projects were selected for exhibition during Mining Week. The school has produced nearly 300 graduates since 2019.

"They are working in different institutions including mining companies. The school teaches and carries out research. We have different research areas namely mineral exploration, geochemical and geohazards, and rare earth elements such as Lithium. We recently got modern lab equipment. All these are preparing future mining engineers and geologists,” he said.

Universities and industry align for a skilled workforce

Industry leaders emphasised the importance of collaboration in building a workforce capable of driving Rwanda forward.

Peter Geleta, Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Metals Limited, highlighted the significance of local talent in strengthening the sector.

He noted that the company employs roughly 7,000 skilled workers, 99 per cent of whom are Rwandan, positioning the country as a global leader in tungsten and tin production.

Trinity Metals plans to build a $60 million plant capable of processing 60 tonnes of tungsten ore per hour by 2027, as it looks to nearly triple output from the current 1,000-plus tonnes at its Nyakabingo Mine in Rulindo District, Northern Province.

"Mechanisation does not mean job losses. I can see Trinity employing over 10,000 people in the next two years,” he said.

Trinity’s Nyakabingo site is Africa’s largest tungsten producer and the fourth-largest globally.

With tungsten prices doubling in the past year, he described international competition to secure reserves.

"Europe and the U.S. are scrambling to secure tungsten reserves. That’s what makes Rwanda so significant.”

Geleta praised the University of Rwanda for transforming Trinity’s workforce.

"Most of our supervisors now are graduates of this university. The students who come from the school want to be modern, professional miners — and they are helping us change the entire company.”

He highlighted the university’s new mineral processing programme as a "game changer”, saying Trinity intends to employ many of its graduates.

He also underlined Rwanda’s strategic position.

"Rwanda is by far the most stable country in the region... it can become the central mining hub for the entire Great Lakes region.”

He also predicted that "the next generation of global mining skills will come from Africa — and many will come from Rwanda.”

Josiane Nsanza, Vice Chairperson of the Rwanda Mining Association, called for more companies to support students.

"When you look at what Trinity Metals has done for mining students in Rwanda, it is tremendous,” she said.

She urged companies to offer more internships and deepen collaboration with universities.

Raymond Ndikumana, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Administration at UR, echoed the call.

"We don’t expect to give everything in the classroom. The private sector and RMB hold the practical knowledge and we invite you to be part of this journey.”

Thousands of mine workers recognised for skills upgrading

During the Mining Week , 2,150 mine workers (243 women and 1,907 men) received certificates under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme.

According to Eng André Mutsindashyaka, Secretary General of the Rwanda Extractive Industry Workers Union (REWU), Rwanda now has 4,850 certified miners, reducing reliance on unqualified personnel whose lack of skills previously hindered the sector.

Rwanda’s mining industry employs 92,000 workers, according to the August 2025 NISR Labour Force Survey.

Barbara Akaliza, Chief Geo-Hazard Officer at RMB, praised the RPL programme for equipping unschooled mine workers with practical, on-site skills.

She reiterated that the future of Rwanda’s mining sector hinges on well-trained graduates and strong academic–industry partnership.

"The School of Mining and Geology continues to be a leading partner in boosting skills development for the mining sector,” she said.

She added that Rwanda offers compelling opportunities across the value chain from exploration and services to mineral processing, value addition and advanced manufacturing.