Tantalum and minerals trading in East and Central Africa
Stuttguard Limited trades traceable tantalum ore (coltan), tin ore (cassiterite) and tungsten ore (wolframite) from the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania. We connect licensed producers with smelters and processors, and trace every lot from mine site to smelter.
What we trade
- Tantalum: coltan (columbite-tantalite). Our main line. Concentrate from Maniema, Tanganyika, Rwanda and Burundi, graded on Ta2O5 and Nb2O5, with U3O8 and ThO2 tested on every lot. Packed in sealed, tagged drums.
- Tin: cassiterite. Concentrate from artisanal and semi-industrial producers across the region, graded on Sn, in tagged 1 t bags.
- Tungsten: wolframite. Smaller lots from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, graded on WO3, in tagged bags or drums.
How every lot is checked
Five checks sit between a mine site and a smelter, in this order. None of them is skipped, whatever the size of the lot.
- Licence and origin: the seller's export licence or authorised trading house, the mine sites and their validation status. No material from areas held by armed groups.
- Tags and certificates: ITSCI tags from mine to export, a national certificate of origin and an ICGLR regional certificate for each lot.
- Sampling and assay: independent sampling at loading and at destination by accredited inspectors, including the U3O8 and ThO2 analysis needed for transport.
- Bonded transit: sealed road transport under customs bond to the port of export, with the document pack travelling with the cargo.
- Smelter handover: material and documents delivered to RMAP-audited smelters, ready for their own audits.
Standards we follow
- OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, with its tin, tantalum and tungsten supplement
- ITSCI tagging and traceability on every lot
- ICGLR Regional Certification Mechanism for the Great Lakes region
- Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) of the Responsible Minerals Initiative
- National mining, export and customs rules in every country we work in
For smelters and processors
- Traceable, consistent feed from verified sources
- A full document pack with every lot
- Independent sampling and assay at loading and at destination, with umpire arrangements
- Support with transport classification, including Class 7 where required
- Secure payment structures such as documentary letters of credit
For producers and cooperatives
- Transparent pricing linked to international market references
- Prompt payment against verified documents
- Help with traceability, certification and export paperwork
- Long-term offtake relationships, not one-off purchases
About Stuttguard
Stuttguard Limited was incorporated in Nairobi, Kenya on 3 July 2018 (PVT-PJUVPM3). Alongside minerals, we run a licensed petroleum trading business (EPRA/PET/13111) and an NCA1 construction business. Our own logistics and clearing team moves concentrate, fuel and project cargo across East and Central Africa. More on the minerals section of our home page.
Questions buyers ask
Who trades tantalum and coltan in East and Central Africa?
Stuttguard Limited, a Nairobi company incorporated in 2018, buys columbite-tantalite (coltan) concentrate from licensed producers, cooperatives and processing entities in the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania, and supplies it to smelters and processors audited under the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP).
Where does Stuttguard's coltan come from?
From Maniema and Tanganyika in the DRC, and from Rwanda and Burundi. We source only from government-controlled, conflict-free areas, and every lot carries ITSCI tags.
What documents come with each lot?
ITSCI tags, a certificate of origin from the national certification authority, an ICGLR regional certificate, and assay reports from independent sampling at loading and at destination.
Do you pay producers in advance?
No. Nothing is paid in advance before the origin has been verified independently. After that, we pay promptly against verified documents.
Do you also trade tin and tungsten?
Yes. We trade cassiterite (tin ore) from artisanal and semi-industrial producers across the region, and wolframite (tungsten ore) in smaller lots from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda.
How do I sell or buy minerals through Stuttguard?
Send us the mineral, grade, tonnage, origin and documents you hold on WhatsApp (+254 788 776 655) or by email (ceo@stuttguardlimited.com). We reply with our due-diligence steps and terms.
Talk to us
WhatsApp +254 788 776 655 or +255 723 838 593. Email ceo@stuttguardlimited.com. Head office: Hughes Building, 3rd Floor, Unit 7, Muindi Bingu Street, P.O. Box 45984-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.