US and DRC in Talks Over Critical Minerals Deal
The United States is engaging in exploratory discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over a potential agreement that would grant the US access to the country’s critical minerals in exchange for military support.
The DRC government reportedly initiated discussions two weeks ago, following an interview in which President Félix Tshisekedi stated that the Trump administration had expressed interest in the nation’s vast mineral resources.
The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a key component in electric vehicle batteries, accounting for over 70% of global production. The country also possesses significant reserves of gold, copper, tin, lithium, and tantalum.
However, much of eastern DRC’s mineral-rich territory is controlled by the M23 rebel group, which, according to United Nations experts, has received backing from Rwanda and is smuggling minerals across the border.
While discussions remain in the early stages, any potential agreement with the US would likely involve military assistance to help Congo regain control over these areas.
In a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Congolese Senator Pierre Kandi Kalambayi proposed granting American companies mining rights in exchange for US support in training and equipping the Congolese armed forces.
For the US, such a deal could also serve as a strategic move to counter China’s dominance in the DRC’s mining sector. A US State Department spokesperson confirmed that the country is open to partnerships in the critical minerals sector that align with the Trump administration’s “America First” policy.
SOURCE:mining.com
