The mining sector in the tiny, landlocked economy was thrust into prominence in June when the US said it was one of those it was considering to diversify its sources of rare earths following a trade spat with China.
Burundi’s gold, tin and rare earth minerals exports have overtaken tea and coffee as the major source of foreign exchange for the East African nation, the ministry of mining said.
Operators in the sector include Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd.
Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd (LON:RBW) is a mining company focussed on production from, and expansion of, the high grade Gakara Rare Earth Project in Burundi, East Africa. With in-situ grades in the range of 47-67% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO), Gakara is one of the world’s richest rare earth deposits.