Praseodymium Oxide

Chumadimu is an African vision, and a study in its scoping phase performed by the Republic of Rwanda with its partners in Africa and Europe.  In Kiswahili, Chuma Adimu means Rare Metal.

Currently, value addition to critical minerals mined in Africa is mostly done outside the continent, thus not contributing to its economic welfare and industrial capability while generating geostrategic value elsewhere. Therefore, Chumadimu is convening a continental processing operation for African ores in Rwanda, starting with the production of Rare Earth Elements for Magnets within a decade.

The study foresees ESG-compliant mining operations and initial beneficiation to occur across Africa. For that, an existing, state-of-the-art solvent extraction plant in the Republic of Rwanda is expected to be extended into a continental processing hub for Mixed Rare Earth Carbonates (MREC) into Rare Earth Oxides (REOs). In parallel,  an already operational end-to-end traceability system shall be deployed to also cover the full process flow from ores at the mining site to the oxides leaving the processing plant.

Chumadimu aims to conceive an ESG-compliant, integrated, pan-African, end-to-end value chain - with the aim to sustainably secure supply to high-tech industries globally while contributing to a climate-resilient economy.