The United States has stepped up efforts to secure critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), targeting assets operated by Canadian miner Ivanhoe Mines and Swiss commodities giant Glencore, sources said.
Ivanhoe Mines confirmed discussions with its partners, including state-owned Gécamines, over the potential export of zinc, copper, lead, germanium, and gallium from the Kipushi mine to U.S. markets. The initiative aligns with Washington’s newly launched US$12 billion strategic stockpile of critical minerals aimed at protecting domestic industrial supply chains from geopolitical and trade disruptions.
“The conversations are focused on structuring exports from Kipushi to the United States, involving both the state miner and a newly created trading company in partnership with Mercuria,” Ivanhoe said. Gécamines holds a 38 percent stake in Kipushi, while Mercuria has rights to acquire up to one-third of unallocated zinc concentrate, according to Ivanhoe.
Parallel to the Kipushi discussions, a U.S.-backed consortium, Orion Critical Mineral, has agreed in principle to acquire a 40 percent stake in Glencore’s Mutanda and Kamoto copper and cobalt mines. The combined valuation of the two assets is estimated at around US$9 billion, Orion and Glencore said in a joint statement. The deal would allow the consortium to receive production volumes proportional to its ownership, ensuring a reliable U.S. supply of critical metals.
Taken together, the Kipushi initiative and the Glencore transaction form part of the United States’ broader strategy to strengthen access to essential raw materials while diversifying sources away from heavy reliance on China. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the moves as consistent with the strategic partnership signed in December 2025 between Washington and Kinshasa.
“This proposed transaction reflects the fundamental objectives of the U.S.–DRC partnership by encouraging U.S. investment in the Congo’s mining sector and promoting secure, reliable, and mutually beneficial flows of critical minerals,” Landau said.
The agreements also underscore Washington’s two-track approach: securing direct mineral exports to its stockpile via Kipushi and acquiring equity interests in high-value copper-cobalt assets through Glencore. Analysts said the strategy is designed to strengthen industrial resilience in the U.S. while reducing Chinese influence in Africa’s largest cobalt producer.
The moves come after DRC authorities submitted a list of strategic mining assets to U.S. firms in January, though officials have not disclosed whether Kipushi, Mutanda, and Kamoto were included. Final execution of the Glencore transaction remains contingent on regulatory approvals and legally binding agreements, the companies said.
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Industry sources indicated that the Orion-Glencore deal could set a precedent for further U.S. involvement in Congolese mining, with both parties expressing intent to acquire additional projects in the DRC. The agreements are expected to catalyse foreign investment while signalling Kinshasa’s commitment to diversifying its mining partnerships beyond traditional Chinese operators.
For the DRC, the initiatives offer an opportunity to boost revenues, modernize mining operations, and assert greater national control over strategic resources. For Washington, securing these minerals is vital for manufacturing, defense, and green technology industries, including batteries, semiconductors, and aerospace applications.
Despite enthusiasm on both sides, execution risks remain. The deals hinge on complex negotiations involving state ownership, local regulations, and international commodity markets. Observers note that while the U.S. has moved swiftly to anchor its position in Congolese mineral supply chains, the ultimate impact on global cobalt and copper flows will depend on the speed and scale of project implementation.
The agreements mark the first tangible steps under the U.S.–DRC strategic partnership, signalling a new chapter in transatlantic engagement with Africa’s resource-rich nations.
