Uses for berylium
The supply and demand dynamics of the global beryllium market are influenced by several factors. These include the availability of raw materials, production capabilities, technological advancements, and the end-use industries that rely heavily on beryllium-based products. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for BERYL TECH RWANDA Ltd as it plans to establish a beryllium processing facility in Rwanda which will be part of the growing global market.
Generally, the supply-side is controlled by key suppliers/producers from mines targeting key industries, while the demand-side is driven by industry applications and growth trends. Considering the technological requirements to use beryllium into consumable equipment, most of companies/countries which are on the supply side are the same ones on the demand side (those who produce being the ones which consume).
Rwanda's Hub for Rare Resources
Rwanda hosts many historical mineral occurrences and operational mines with major commodities being cassiterite, wolframite, columbite-tantalite, native gold and other pegmatite-related rare minerals such as rare earth elements (REEs), beryl, lithium-bearing minerals, phosphate minerals, gemstones etc.
Currently, Rwanda’s mining sector is largely characterized by mining companies which use traditional mining methods to extract minerals. However the current policy aims at upgrading the sector to semi- mechanized and industrial mining levels to increase production, which is still low compared to the proven potential.
Rwanda's Mineral Transformation
In addition, part of Rwanda’s vision is to be a mineral value-addition hub in the region. The country plans to progressively reduce the export of ores and mineral concentrates to semi-finished and finished mineral products. So far, there is one TinSmelter (LuNa Smelter), one Gold refinery (GGR) and one Tantalum refinery (PowerX). The latter is still under construction. Favourable opportunities to establish other processing plants such as those for tungsten, Beryllium, Lithium and gemstones cutting and polishing are open to private investors.
According to “Statista – the statistics portal, Rwanda's gross weight production volume of beryl amounted to 20 metric tons in 2019, remaining stable compared to previous years. The figure indicates the recorded beryl production from 2015 to 2019.
