US Faces Hurdles Securing Congo’s Critical Minerals Despite New Partnership Deal

The United States is encountering significant obstacles in its effort to secure strategic minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, even after signing a partnership agreement in December. Despite receiving a shortlist of 44 mining projects from Congo, ongoing conflicts, licensing disputes, and complex compliance requirements are hampering American progress in a region dominated by Chinese companies.

The United States is encountering significant roadblocks in its mission to secure critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite establishing a partnership agreement just months ago, according to diplomatic and industry sources.

Congo holds the world’s most extensive cobalt reserves along with substantial copper and lithium deposits, making it a cornerstone of America’s strategy to reduce Western dependence on China for essential minerals.

Following the December signing of a minerals agreement between the US and Congo, officials in Kinshasa provided Washington with a list of 44 potential projects last month covering copper, cobalt, lithium, tin, gold, and energy resources, as Reuters previously reported.

This US-Congo collaboration aims to attract investment and support a peace agreement that Washington helped negotiate between Congo and Rwanda. The Congolese government has alleged that Rwanda backs M23 rebel forces currently battling government troops in eastern regions.

However, many of the proposed mining sites are located in politically unstable areas or face licensing complications, making rapid and dependable mining agreements difficult to achieve, according to sources including Congolese government and mining sector officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of ongoing discussions.

One American diplomat suggested that Kinshasa may be intentionally delaying new agreements to pressure Washington into taking stronger action against M23 before moving forward. Reuters was unable to independently confirm this assertion.

The Congolese government did not provide immediate responses to comment requests. Speaking on background, a senior government official dismissed the allegations as “speculation.”

“The agreement has its own rhythm: a period for receiving offers, a period for negotiation,” the official explained. Rwanda, which denies supporting M23, also did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

The US State Department informed Reuters that America remains “deeply concerned” about violence in eastern Congo and continues pressing regional partners to strengthen the ceasefire, calling on Rwanda to cease M23 support and withdraw according to December’s peace agreement.

The department expressed Washington’s desire to see rapid advancement on major deals, including a proposal for Glencore to transfer copper and cobalt operations to the US-supported Orion consortium, US-based Virtus Minerals’ attempt to acquire Congo-focused Chemaf, and expansion of the Lobito Corridor railway.

According to Joshua Walker from NYU’s Congo Research Group, Kinshasa’s decision to include the Rubaya mine on the shortlist indicates Congo’s desire for stronger US action against M23. The mine produces approximately 15% of global coltan and currently operates under M23/AFC control.

Walker noted that investment remains unlikely while the group maintains territorial control.

American security influence has already impacted some mining operations. Alphamin Resources resumed operations at its Bisie tin mine only after US diplomatic intervention helped reduce fighting in surrounding areas, though the company warns that renewed violence could threaten access and operations.

Michael Bahati, chief analyst at advisory firm Ascendance Strategies, identified Congo’s licensing bottlenecks as a fundamental obstacle to new US investment. Additionally, some assets on Kinshasa’s list face disputes, incomplete ownership documentation, and delayed transparency reporting.

At Manono, a world-class lithium site, US-backed KoBold is working to resolve a dispute with Australia’s AVZ, while China’s Zijin in the same region prepares for June shipments.

High-quality copper-cobalt properties, including Chemaf and Gecamines’ holdings, encounter political disputes and permitting histories that discourage Western financial institutions. Chemaf’s proposed sale to US-backed Virtus has stalled after owners indicated that the approximately $30 million offer fails to address the company’s substantial debts.

Even for simpler opportunities like tailings reprocessing or proposed cobalt refineries, Kinshasa has indicated that success depends on governance improvements and security assurances that only Washington can help provide.

These obstacles highlight a disconnect between US strategic goals and its capacity to deploy capital quickly, according to Geraud-Christian Neema, an analyst specializing in African natural resource geopolitics.

Washington continues focusing on “ready-to-produce” properties. A longer-term transformation would require US companies willing to accept Congo-level risks and wait years for profits, a commitment “not many US firms are prepared to make,” he explained.

Congolese officials admit they want American companies to accelerate their pace but say they cannot bypass compliance requirements.

While US and other Western companies must satisfy obligations including anti-corruption screenings, establishing clear ownership chains, and documenting community impact assessments, Chinese firms operate under different regulatory frameworks.

At Manono, Zijin’s early progress in developing roads, power systems, and port connections is already influencing the project. KoBold’s Congo representative said the company plans to utilize that infrastructure once ownership disputes are settled, reflecting the compliance challenges facing US-backed enterprises.

The difference is evident throughout Congo’s mining industry – Chinese operators can manage uncertainty that Western companies cannot, enabling Beijing-linked firms to advance projects while American companies remain caught in extended due-diligence processes.

Currently, Kinshasa has successfully drawn Washington deeper into its critical-minerals sphere, gambling that US engagement will yield security and political benefits, NYU’s Walker observed.

“What that engagement will ultimately look like, however, remains uncertain.”

With Chinese companies already controlling more than 70% of Congo’s copper-cobalt and other rare mineral assets, nothing yet indicates Washington can substantially weaken Beijing’s dominance.