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US, Congo in ‘exploratory talks’ over minerals deal: FT

Staff Writer | March 9, 2025 | 1:21 pm Critical Minerals Africa USA Cobalt Copper Gold 
Gold mine in South Kivu, Congo. Credit: Sasha Lezhnev, Enough Project

The United States is holding “exploratory talks” with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over a deal that would give it access to the African nation’s critical minerals in exchange for military support, the Financial Times reported late on Friday.

The Congolese government first brought up the possible deal two weeks ago, after President Felix Tshisekedi gave an interview to the New York Times stating that the Trump administration has shown interest in its vast wealth of minerals.

One of Africa’s most richly endowed countries, the DRC is world’s largest producer of cobalt — a critical mineral used in many industrial applications including electric vehicle batteries — accounting for over 70% of global production. It also holds significant reserves of gold, copper, tin, lithium and tantalum.

However, many of the mineral-rich areas in eastern DRC are now under the control of the M23 rebel group, who, according to United Nations experts, has been backed by the neighbouring Rwanda and smuggling Congo’s minerals through the border.

While still in the early stages, any potential minerals deal with the US would likely equip Congo with military reinforcements to put an end to the conflict.

In a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Congolese Senator Pierre Kandi Kalambayi has proposed granting American companies mining rights in exchange for US support in training and equipping the Congolese armed forces, the Financial Times reported.

“There is a desire for us to diversify our partners,” Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said last week, adding there were “daily exchanges” between Congo and the U.S.

The US also sees this as an opportunity to counter China’s dominance in the African nation’s mining sector.

“The DRC has a significant share of the world’s most important minerals needed for advanced technologies. The United States is open to discussing partnerships in this sector that align with the ‘America First’ program of the Trump administration,’ a State Department spokesperson told FT.

On Sunday, the State Department confirmed to Reuters its interest in the critical minerals deal, noting that Congo holds “a significant share of the world’s critical minerals required for advanced technologies.”

14 Comments

  • Cathy Kwali

    Why does it always have to be in exchange for military support. You people Congo DR has suffered a lot. Why not help end the suffering and give support in that regard. Congo DR is for Congolese, just like America is for Americans. Your promise for military support is what is fueling the war in that nation. It is too much, let them enjoy peace for a once in a lifetime.

  • Kelvin chiliba

    The colonialists are back. We need the AU to act to save DRC

    • Joseph

      AU is a useless organisation that need a clean up

  • Henni

    Let this war come to an end. Good also to curb exploitation by Chinese in Africa

  • Pule

    Africa is weak,we have weak leaders who talk peace with rebels.Now our minerals are going to be controlled by US , the country that undermine Africa.It is sad and painful.

    • Brian Gunderson

      The new Trump administration will reverse 80+ years of bad, exploitive foreign policy. The US now has the strongest Christian principled administration ever in our history! That, dispite Trump’s often boisterous rheteric. I’m confident Sec. of State Marco Rubio will enter a fair and just deal with the DRC.

      • Mardochee Mbongi

        We, the people of Democratic Republic of the Congo are glad the President Trump is back in Washington, DC and now preside at the destiny of USA. We longed for a treaty and partnership with USA, now that he is going to make it happen, we are grateful.

  • Rukaka

    1. There is a total leadership vacuum in DRC!

    2. I doubt if USA leadership is well advised to engage unrecognised leadership (group of individuals under Felix Tshisekedi) to sign a mineral deal. USA is aware that the leadership is not recognised by its own people as the elections in this country were self-proclaimed and the leadership has no constitutional powers over its people.

    3. During elections, majority of eastern DRC residents did not exercise their right to vote as Tshisekedi declared state of emergency, appointed military officers to lead the civilians which led to harrassment, rape and torture over people they ought to protect, including cannibalism.

    4. Congolese need peace than bloody money. Any discussion on DRC land use of exploration of minerals in eastern part of the country should involve the native than engaging unrecognised leadership in over 2000km away.

    5. I know that USA may have forgotten their involvement in Somalian crisis in early 1990s. The involvement of USA in the internal crisis of DRC may pose significant damage than anticipated.

    END

    • Malu Theo

      The us new government have a full information about what is going on in drc Congo than what this man is talking to support their leader who is funding them to use the media and lie the entire world and divide the congolese people. You and your killer leader who does not care about people’s life. He is killing each and everyday in Congo. But he is at his end. The USA will deal with Drc Congo and you will be confused you and Kagame.

    • Dezz

      You are spreading lies and it doesn’t help you! Your president Kagam23 has been elected? Was there any election in Rwanda?

  • Esther Mukami

    But could the USA atleast release funding yo save the millions displaced by war for minerals or its just another cycle of misery for populations of drc??

  • Barungi

    The emperialists cause trouble in other words, take away their wealth which they use to pay their own soldiers to keep on plundering those countries,like Ukraine both Us and Russia are about its minerals in the guide of security!

  • Rodgers Makungu

    Africans we need to workup……. Why allowing Americans to start mining in your country in exchange for weapons, that’s sarcastic….. They will just ignite the conflict which is already there…..Africans readers please workup and start putting your people or citizens first. Why do we fail to do mining on our ourselves, who has bewitched Africa. RODGERS MAKUNGU From Zambia

  • Guillaume Demba

    Final y DRC Gov.hundersttand i have proposed DRC Gov this deal on 2023 the withness is Christphe Nyakero have been to hold the case ito the president Chisekendi. Now the try to dealing but???Military suporte promised is good .the dealing with América Gov is nice knowing the technic and strategie president Chisekendi.ask and usted Congolaise América to working with American the knowing many think to proposed to Build the strong technic to and this war in east congo trassing me we have talking learning in school in América ” Homeland Security” ask??

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