Rwanda has taken a significant step toward entering the global critical minerals market following the announcement of a major lithium discovery by Aterian Plc, a UK-listed exploration company. The mineral findings have been lauded as “world-class” by Aterian’s Executive Chairman, Charles Bray, and represent a potential turning point for Rwanda’s ambitions to become a major player in the lithium supply chain.
The discovery is part of an active joint venture between Aterian Plc, Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Ltd, and Kinunga Mining Ltd. Drilling operations commenced in September 2024 across a designated 2,750-hectare exploration permit in Rwanda’s Southern Province. This region includes 19 identified lithium-rich pegmatite zones, also containing associated deposits of tantalum and cesium.
Preliminary exploration results released in July 2025 revealed an exceptionally high lithium concentration of 3.2 percent over a 3.5-metre interval within spodumene-bearing rock—well above the 1.5 percent lithium oxide threshold typically regarded as high-grade in global markets. In the context of comparable international benchmarks, Bray noted that similar intercepts—such as Red Mountain in the United States (3.2 percent over 30 metres) and Patriot Battery Metals in Canada (over 4 percent across nine metres)—affirm Rwanda’s competitive geological potential. However, Bray acknowledged that questions remain regarding the scale and continuity of the Rwandan deposit, particularly in terms of drill depth and economic feasibility.
Further drilling revealed a second notable intercept: a 6.9-metre section grading 2.11 percent lithium, including a more concentrated sub-interval of 3.45 metres at 3.20 percent. These findings were derived from just two of the twelve predefined exploration targets in the permit area, suggesting substantial untapped potential.
Rio Tinto has since exercised its Stage 1 earn-in rights under the joint venture agreement, thereby acquiring a 51 percent stake in the project. The strategic involvement of Rio Tinto—renowned for its technical expertise and extensive operational infrastructure—brings significant weight to the venture’s credibility and future scalability.
Bray emphasised the importance of leveraging Rio Tinto’s global capabilities in conjunction with local development, noting the company’s commitment to community engagement and value addition within Rwanda. “We aim to move swiftly toward establishing a median resource estimate, but we are also deeply committed to involving Rwandans in every stage of the development process,” he remarked.
Rwanda’s mining sector currently contributes approximately 3 percent to national GDP and employs over 72,000 individuals, with sectoral revenues projected to reach as high as USD 150 billion in the long term. The discovery of high-grade spodumene—a principal lithium-bearing mineral—is expected to enhance Rwanda’s profile in the international battery materials sector, which is increasingly driven by demand for electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, laptops, and the ceramics industry.
While no definitive timeline for mining operations has been established, the presence of economically viable lithium deposits—paired with the backing of a major multinational like Rio Tinto—places Rwanda in a favourable position within the global race for critical raw materials. With ten out of twelve targets still unexplored, the likelihood of a substantial resource base remains high, potentially opening new pathways for sustainable economic development and regional influence in Southern Africa’s mineral economy.
