Page "Economy of Rwanda" Paragraph 9

Cassiterite production peaked at 1, 000 tonnes in 1990, but was under 700 tonnes in 2000.

Recorded coltan production has soared from 147 tonnes in 1999 to 1, 300 tonnes in 2001, and coltan was the country's biggest single export earner in 2001.

It has been under-acknowledged to date that at least part of the increase in production is because of new mines opening up in Rwanda.

However, it is also true, as has frequently been observed, that the increase is because of the fraudulent re-export of Congolese coltan.

In addition to the well-publicised involvement in this trade of the Rwandan Defence Force ( RDF ), another important factor in the coltan re-export is that international dealers are under pressure not to buy from the DRC, thus increasing the incentive for DRC coltan to be re-exported as Rwanda's.

Rwanda is also alleged to be trading in fraudulently exported gold and diamonds from the DRC