ITSCI Export Figures vs. International Trade Data: What the Numbers Reveal

Disclaimer – ITSCI focuses on collection and evaluation of our own data. While we make general comparisons to other available figures for supporting information, we are not tantalum market analysts. General notes about tantalum statistics and trade data in general were provided in an Annex of a previous statement.

This statement provides updated figures from international trade databases, together with the previous data shared in our November 2025 statement (see Annex 1). In that earlier statement, we presented data on world tantalum import volumes from Rwanda, based on information available at that time from international trade databases. In addition to these updated data, we now also provide preliminary ITSCI figures for the full year 2025.

Trade data of all commodities is known to be liable to mis-categorisation and other errors on paperwork used to compile the databases. Therefore, as part of ITSCI’s ongoing verification and due diligence process, we sought confirmation of several of the more significant figures directly with the relevant trade database. As a result of this verification, authorities from one country corrected their tantalum import figures for one month of 2025 and these corrections are now reflected in the trade database itself. Such adjustments are not unusual and are known to occur regularly.

Above figures show a difference of 1,226 tonnes between the tantalum export volumes recorded in the ITSCI Programme in 2025 and the world tantalum import volumes from Rwanda. These figures demonstrate that mineral trading recorded by ITSCI does not represent the entirety of world tantalum import from Rwanda. ITSCI continues to take proactive, ongoing steps to closely monitor and act on mineral plausibility questions as relevant to our operations. ITSCI recommends that all stakeholders assess potential risks within their supply chains and implement robust due diligence practices, recognising their collective responsibility and reinforcing accountability across all involved actors.

ITSCI is committed to record and follow-up all information received regarding supply chain risks and encourages all parties to use our whistleblowing programme to report any risks or incidents, for us to continue reporting and advocating for appropriate actions. The ITSCI whistleblowing procedure and contact details are available online at www.itsci.org/contact/. The confidential ITSCI whistleblowing address is [email protected].