The United States is facing mounting challenges in its effort to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as conflict, licensing disputes and political tensions slow progress despite a newly signed minerals pact, diplomats and industry officials say.
The mineral-rich central African nation, which holds the world’s largest cobalt reserves along with significant copper and lithium deposits, is central to Washington’s strategy to secure supply chains for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and advanced technologies. But much of Congo’s mining sector remains heavily influenced by Chinese companies, which have built a dominant presence over the past two decades.
In December, Washington and Kinshasa signed a cooperation agreement aimed at boosting US investment in the country’s extractive industries. The deal is designed to attract American firms and diversify ownership of projects that are currently concentrated among Chinese operators.
Last month, Congolese authorities presented the United States with a shortlist of 44 potential projects spanning copper, cobalt, lithium, tin, gold and hydrocarbons, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The projects are intended to form the backbone of deeper US-Congo economic ties.
However, several of the assets are located in eastern Congo, a region plagued by insecurity and armed conflict. Parts of North Kivu province, including areas around the Rubaya coltan mine, are controlled by the M23 rebel group, which has been fighting Congolese forces in a renewed insurgency.
A US diplomat said progress on mining agreements is intertwined with the fragile security situation. “Investment cannot move at scale without stability,” the diplomat said, adding that Washington has sought to support a peace process between Congo and neighbouring Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of backing the M23 rebels. Rwanda denies the allegation.
The minerals partnership is also intended to support a peace agreement brokered by Washington between Congo and Rwanda. But sources say political sensitivities remain high, complicating negotiations over mining licences and project approvals.
Several Congolese government and mining officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, said some of the shortlisted projects face unresolved permitting disputes or overlapping claims. Others are located in zones where security risks could deter investors.
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One US diplomat alleged that Kinshasa may be slowing negotiations to encourage Washington to increase pressure on M23 before advancing new mining deals. A senior Congolese official dismissed such claims as “speculation,” saying the agreement follows a defined process. “There is a period for receiving offers and a period for negotiation,” the official said.
Analysts say US companies also face stricter compliance and environmental standards than many of their Chinese counterparts, potentially slowing deal-making. American firms must navigate anti-corruption rules, human rights due diligence requirements and heightened scrutiny over sourcing from conflict-affected regions.
“The challenge is not just commercial but geopolitical,” said a mining sector analyst based in Johannesburg. “China has entrenched infrastructure, processing capacity and financing arrangements in Congo. The US is trying to enter a space that is already crowded and politically complex.”
Despite the obstacles, Washington continues to frame the partnership as a long-term strategy to strengthen critical mineral supply chains and reduce dependence on Chinese processing and financing.
For Congo, the renewed Western interest offers an opportunity to diversify investment partners and potentially secure better terms. But until security improves and regulatory uncertainties are resolved, the path to de-risking what some describe as “war zone minerals” may remain slow and fraught.
