The Democratic Republic of Congo has proposed a deal to the United States for exclusive access to its critical minerals and infrastructure in exchange for security support against a rebellion. This partnership aims to enhance US economic interests while reducing reliance on Chinese companies. However, past concerns over corruption and military conduct pose challenges to this potential collaboration.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has proposed to the United States an exclusive deal for access to its critical mineral resources and infrastructure projects, according to a report by Bloomberg. This offer comes as the DRC seeks security assistance to address a rebellion purportedly backed by Rwanda. The DRC’s President, Felix Tshisekedi, has called for an urgent meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss the matter.
The proposed agreement aims to grant US companies privileged access to vital minerals that are essential for the global energy transition. The DRC communicated this request in a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting the urgent need for support amidst ongoing internal conflicts. Currently, the DRC’s mining sector, a major source of copper, is heavily influenced by Chinese enterprises.
Collaborating with the US would allow the DRC to diversify its economic partnerships and lessen dependence on China. The proposal encompasses operational control for US firms, exclusive rights for mineral extraction and export, involvement in a deep-water port development, and the establishment of a joint strategic mineral stockpile. In exchange, the US would provide military training, equipment, and direct security assistance, including access to military bases to secure essential resources.
A US-Africa business coalition has asserted in the letter: “As the world’s largest supplier of cobalt and a major producer of lithium, tantalum, and uranium, the DRC’s resources are integral to US industrial competitiveness and national security.” The US State Department has shown a willingness to engage in discussions regarding potential mining sector partnerships, which could mutually benefit the economies of both nations.
Nevertheless, the possibility of this deal remains uncertain. Previous efforts by the Biden Administration to foster ties between US companies and the DRC’s mineral resources encountered obstacles due to concerns over corruption, environmental ramifications, and labor practices. Furthermore, the US has historically approached military support for the DRC with caution due to allegations of human rights abuses within its military forces.
Joshua Walker, a programme director at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation, emphasized the complexities involved in renegotiating mining contracts and the unpredictability of the Trump administration’s ability to attract US investments. The extent of the new administration’s commitment to countering Rwandan aggression in the DRC also remains to be seen.
The letter soliciting the proposed minerals-for-security arrangement was disclosed on the Foreign Agents Registration Act website and sent by lobbyist Aaron Poynton on behalf of Pierre Kanda Kalambayi, who chairs the Congolese Senate’s Committee on Defence, Security, and Border Protection. Similar letters have been dispatched to other influential US officials, indicating the DRC’s pursuit of an arrangement beneficial to both nations. Recently, in February 2025, the DRC established a state monopoly to manage the production and export of artisanal cobalt.
In summary, the Democratic Republic of Congo is seeking to establish an exclusive partnership with the United States, offering access to its critical mineral resources in exchange for security assistance against internal conflicts. The proposal aims to engage US companies in operations pivotal to global energy needs while reducing dependence on Chinese influence. However, significant uncertainties regarding past issues of corruption and human rights violations may affect the outcome of these discussions.
Original Source: www.mining-technology.com
