The U.S., through the State Department, has expressed interest in exploring a partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to unlock the country’s critical mineral prospects, according to Reuters.
A U.S. State Department Spokesperson said the country is open to engage in the partnership with the east African nation under U.S. President Donald Trump’s America First Agenda, emphasizing that DRC holds “a significant share of the world’s critical minerals required for advanced technologies.”
With an estimated $24 trillion in untapped mineral wealth, the DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and Africa’s leading producer of copper.
Patrick Muyaya, spokesperson for the DRC government, stated that discussions with the U.S. on potential partnerships are ongoing under efforts to diversify the DRC’s international mining partners.
“If American investors are interested in coming to the DRC, obviously they will find space. DRC has reserves that are available and it would also be good if American capital could invest here,” added Muyaya.
