Congo is planning to send the United States a list of mining projects soon. Mines Minister Louis Watum said it will be used for commercial talks. He emphasized that this is strictly business. The country is not giving anything away for free and no special deals are included.
Key Minerals
Congo has a lot of copper, cobalt, lithium and tantalum. These are used in batteries, electric vehicles, electronics and defense equipment. The US wants access because China controls much of these metals right now. Congo is the second-largest copper producer in the world and the top cobalt supplier.
China’s Current Role
Chinese companies like CMOC dominate production. US companies have mostly stayed out because of conflict, corruption and logistics. By 2025 Chinese firms controlled around 80 percent of Congo’s mining output. The Tenke Fungurume cobalt mine, which used to be US-owned, is now run by CMOC. Congo hopes that US investment will reduce China’s dominance or at least balance it a little.
Washington Accords
This mining agreement is part of a bigger US-backed deal with Rwanda to stabilize eastern Congo. The US will help oversee peace efforts and Congo will open projects to American investors. Watum described it as a framework for mutual benefit. Fighting is still happening in parts of the east so it is not perfect.
Why It Matters
The US has 60 minerals it considers critical. These include metals for wind turbines, semiconductors, defense systems and electric vehicles. President Donald Trump has emphasized the need to diversify supply chains. Deals like this are part of the strategy to reduce reliance on China.
Investor Notes
This could be an opportunity for US investors. Risks are high, including political, operational and geopolitical. Early movers might gain access to resources currently controlled by Chinese firms. How fast investment happens and whether it can scale safely is the big question.
