Underground game-changer: US poised to gain access to critical global resources Financial Times reveals

The US is in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) regarding a potential deal that would grant access to the country’s rich deposits of critical minerals, including copper, cobalt, and uranium. This initiative is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to secure access to resources in foreign countries.

According to individuals familiar with the discussions, quoted by the Financial Times, the proposal for the deal, which was presented by the DRC to the US last month, involves offering exploration rights to American companies in exchange for support of President Félix Tshisekedi’s government, per Caliber.Az.

Congolese officials hope the deal will help bolster Tshisekedi’s leadership, as he faces ongoing armed conflict in the eastern region, where M23 rebels, supported by neighbouring Rwanda, have seized significant mineral-rich territories, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu.

The talks with Washington have gained momentum in recent days, though there are still several challenges, and the talks are still in the early stages. A spokesperson from the US State Department confirmed the discussions, stating that the US is open to partnerships in the critical minerals sector, which aligns with the administration's "America First" agenda.

The State Department also highlighted that partnerships with US companies would benefit both the US and the DRC, create higher-skilled jobs, and integrate the country into regional and global value chains. A letter sent late last month to Secretary of State Marco Rubio from Congolese Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi outlined a proposal in which the DRC would provide US companies with mining extraction rights and collaborate on creating a strategic mineral stockpile. In return, the letter requests American support for training and equipping Congolese armed forces.

While the specifics of the deal have yet to be finalized, the US’s interest highlights the Trump administration's focus on securing global access to resources. Since taking office, President Trump has suggested acquiring Greenland and proposed a similar minerals deal with Ukraine, which is expected to be finalized soon.

Increased US involvement in the DRC would also counterbalance China’s growing influence, as Chinese companies currently dominate most of the country’s large-scale mining operations. The letter to Rubio states that while China has traditionally controlled the mineral supply chains in the DRC, President Tshisekedi’s recent policy shifts provide a rare opportunity for the US to establish a direct and ethical supply chain.

No major American mining companies have operated in the DRC since Freeport-McMoRan sold its stake in the Tenke Fungurume copper mine in 2016. The mineral talks are taking place amid growing political instability in the DRC. Tshisekedi’s grip on power has weakened in recent weeks, with political opponents seeking to capitalize on his perceived vulnerability.

Commenting on the deal, Indigo Ellis, managing director at consulting firm JS Held, suggested that the proposal could be seen as a desperate attempt by the Congolese government to appeal to the US. Reports from UN investigators have accused Rwanda of exploiting the conflict in eastern Congo to loot mineral resources such as gold and coltan, which is used in mobile phones. The US imposed sanctions last month on Rwanda's Minister for Regional Integration and former army chief, James Kabarebe, in response to these allegations.

The conflict in eastern Congo has also involved neighbouring countries like Burundi and Uganda, and it threatens to reignite the wider regional war that ravaged the region two decades ago. Tshisekedi’s spokesperson, Tina Salama, responded to the proposed minerals deal by accusing Rwanda of smuggling minerals looted from the DRC, stating that the US should buy them directly from the DRC instead of from Rwanda, the "rightful owners" of the resources.

By Tamilla Hasanova