Ebola Outbreak Impacts US Mining Deals in DRC
Ebola has not affected cobalt and copper mines in the DRC, but U.S. travel restrictions hinder mining agreements. The U.S. is reliant on DRC's mineral production, as it produced 73% of the world's cobalt in 2025.
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The Ebola outbreak has not reached any copper or cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but U.S. travel restrictions are impacting mining agreements. As of August 4, there were 3,973 confirmed Ebola cases, with no cases reported in mining regions.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suspended entry for travelers from the DRC and nearby countries, affecting business travel and meetings. The DRC produced 230,000 tons of cobalt in 2025, accounting for 73% of global production.
Infrastructure developments, such as the rehabilitation of the Lobito mineral port in Angola, continue, but U.S. travel policies pose risks to partnership goals. The future of these mining deals depends on U.S. policy adjustments as the situation evolves.
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