54 US Lawmakers Seek Greater Transparency on DRC–US Critical Minerals Agreements
54 US Lawmakers Call for Greater Transparency Over DRC–US Minerals Agreements
Fifty-four Democratic members of the US House of Representatives have called on the Trump administration to provide greater transparency and accountability regarding agreements and negotiations involving the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly those concerning critical minerals such as copper and cobalt.
In a letter dated 17 August 2026, the lawmakers asked senior US officials, including representatives of the State, Commerce and Treasury departments, to provide information on the terms, implementation and oversight of the agreements.
Their concerns focus on whether future trade and investment arrangements will include enforceable environmental, labour and community protections, as well as clear mechanisms for monitoring compliance and addressing violations.
The lawmakers also called for greater congressional and public scrutiny of major agreements involving strategic minerals.
The scrutiny comes as Washington and Kinshasa advance cooperation under the US–DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement, signed in December 2025.
The agreement covers critical minerals, infrastructure and governance, and provides mechanisms intended to facilitate investment in strategic projects and mineral assets.
The partnership includes a strategic asset reserve and preferential opportunities for US companies in selected projects and minerals.
Infrastructure initiatives, including the Sakania–Lobito corridor, are also identified as priorities for improving the movement of minerals to international markets.
Implementation of the framework has already begun, with the joint steering committee holding its inaugural meeting and the DRC identifying an initial list of strategic assets.
The 54 lawmakers are also seeking clarification on proposed financing arrangements involving US government-backed institutions.
They want information on the potential use of loans, guarantees and equity investments by institutions such as the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Export-Import Bank.
Another issue raised concerns the proposed security arrangements around mining operations.
The lawmakers are requesting details on human rights safeguards, labour rights and oversight mechanisms associated with any security force supporting mining investments.
They have also asked the administration to clarify reports concerning the possible modification of US sanctions involving businessman Dan Gertler and entities linked to him. The lawmakers’ letter seeks information on the matter but does not establish that any sanctions have been lifted or that a decision to do so has been made.
Beyond oversight, the lawmakers have called for agreements to support greater economic value from the DRC’s mineral resources.
They argue that cooperation should encourage local processing, skilled employment, industrial development and the development of domestic supply chains rather than focusing exclusively on the extraction and export of raw materials.
They have also raised the potential role of recycling, reuse and other circular-economy measures in reducing pressure on new mineral resources.
The letter does not legally suspend or terminate the existing agreements. Instead, it seeks detailed responses from the US administration on the commitments made, financing structures, beneficiaries and safeguards associated with the growing US–DRC minerals partnership.
The response from US authorities could provide further clarity on how the strategic partnership will be implemented, particularly regarding investment conditions, environmental and labour standards, security arrangements and opportunities for local value addition in the DRC’s mining sector.
