US and China Compete for Critical Minerals in Democratic Republic of Congo
The Kamoa copper mine in the DRC aims to expand production to 500,000 tonnes by 2028, positioning itself as a key player in the global copper and cobalt supply chain. As demand for these critical minerals rises, the US seeks to enhance its stake in the DRC's mineral wealth, challenging China's long-standing dominance.
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The Kamoa copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo plans to increase its output to 500,000 tonnes annually by 2028, making it potentially the largest copper mine in Africa and the fourth largest globally. The DRC is projected to produce 3.4 million tonnes of copper by 2025 and holds 68% of the world's cobalt supply, crucial for electronics and renewable energy.
The US is pursuing investments in the region following a strategic partnership agreement with Kinshasa amid ongoing conflicts. In February, Glencore signed an agreement with the US-led Orion Critical Mineral Consortium for a potential 40% stake in its DRC assets. The US-China rivalry over these resources may influence future investments and operations in the DRC, which still has significant areas unexplored.
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