DRC Presents portfolio of state mining assets to US in Strategic partnership push
In a move to solidify a strategic minerals partnership, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has submitted a shortlist of public mining assets to U.S. authorities. This offer, transmitted last week, marks the most tangible step forward in implementing agreements between the two nations, aimed at attracting American investment into the critical metals supply chain.
According to two senior Congolese officials speaking anonymously, the list includes major manganese, copper-cobalt, gold, and lithium projects.
Key assets offered are the Kisenge manganese, gold, and cassiterite licenses; Gécamines’ Mutoshi copper-cobalt project; four gold permits from Sokimo; lithium licenses from Cominière; and coltan, gold, and wolframite assets from Sakima.
Authorities emphasize these state-owned assets are not tied to existing subcontracting agreements or joint ventures and that the process strictly complies with Congolese law.
This initiative is part of broader U.S. efforts to diversify its supply of minerals essential for the energy transition and reduce reliance on China, which dominates the refining of many strategic metals.
The consolidated list was presented to a joint DRC-U.S. Steering Committee, a high-level body overseeing the implementation of the minerals partnership.
The Congolese side is led by Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy, Daniel Mukoko Samba, and includes the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mines, and Finance, as well as the head of the mining regulatory authority (ARECOMS).
Next steps involve the committee convening its first official meeting to begin implementing the partnership, including negotiating future contracts.
This concrete offer follows several existing U.S. initiatives in the DRC, such as the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s partnership with Gécamines and its support for the $553 million Lobito Corridor modernization project.
Gilbert FOTSO
