The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the US are in the early stages of discussions regarding a potential minerals and security agreement, according to Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner.
In a letter sent last month, the DRC proposed granting the US exclusive access to critical minerals and infrastructure projects in exchange for security assistance to combat a rebellion backed by neighboring Rwanda in the mineral-rich east.
The proposal was partially inspired by a similar offer the US made to Ukraine, Wagner revealed in an interview.
Congo is the world’s second-largest copper producer and the leading source of cobalt, with significant lithium, tantalum, tin, and gold reserves.
US-based KoBold Metals, backed by billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has already expressed interest in investing in the country’s lithium sector, marking the first major US mining investment in the DRC.
President Félix Tshisekedi has positioned the country’s vast mineral wealth as a strategic asset to attract US support, especially as the Biden administration seeks to secure critical minerals for the green energy transition. Currently, Chinese companies dominate mining operations in the DRC, a country known for its complex business environment.
“There is a perception that certain countries are more active in the DRC than others,” Wagner said. “For us, the challenge is understanding what makes our business climate more favorable for some investors and less for others.”
Meanwhile, the ongoing advance of M23 rebels in eastern Congo has raised concerns among mining companies. Last week, Toronto-listed Alphamin Resources evacuated its tin mines as rebel forces expanded their control. Some copper and cobalt mining firms in the Katanga region, located over 600 miles from the conflict zone, have also seen staff departures due to security concerns.
Wagner acknowledged investors’ apprehensions, emphasizing that the government takes the risks seriously. “Their concerns are completely legitimate, and we are not downplaying the situation,” she stated.
The US and EU have imposed sanctions on Rwanda for its alleged support of the rebels, though Kigali denies any involvement in the conflict.
