The Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa's top tin producer, has repeatedly accused its neighbor Rwanda of re-exporting some of its minerals that were smuggled across the border. Now, with Washington involved in recent peace negotiations between the two countries, the U.S. is aiming to formalize this trade.

U.S. tin supplier Nathan Trotter plans to invest $65 million in a processing plant in Virginia, with operations expected to begin by the end of 2026. The announcement comes just months after the company signed a letter of intent with Rwandan miner Trinity Metals to establish a U.S.-Rwandan supply chain. Both companies receive direct financial support from Washington, which is seeking to reduce its estimated 75% reliance on tin imports.

While the exact sources for the future plant have not been disclosed, it is known that it will process tin concentrate, a product that Trinity Metals can supply. The Rwandan company, the country's main tin and tungsten producer, is backed by a $3.86 million investment from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Last month, Trinity also signed an agreement to sell tungsten to the U.S. firm Global Tungsten and Powders. Nathan Trotter, for its part, secured $19 million in funding from the Department of Defense in 2024 to increase its refining capacity, underscoring the strategic importance of its project.

"Our new state-of-the-art tin processing facility will play an important and historic role in strengthening our nation’s fragile tin supply chain, as global competition and demand for critical minerals reaches extraordinary levels," said Tyler Morris, Vice President of Nathan Trotter.

These developments occur as the U.S. is also involved in reconciling Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A peace agreement signed in Washington in late June outlines a framework for regional economic integration, including transparent mining value chains between the DRC, Africa's top tin producer, and Rwanda.

This effort remains sensitive, as Rwanda continues to be accused of processing and re-exporting smuggled Congolese minerals. While the U.S.-backed agreements and initiatives are specifically designed to formalize this trade, it remains to be seen if they will be enough to end the accusations of plunder that still surround the regional mineral trade.

Emiliano Tossou