US Busy with Iran War - China Tightens Grip on Congo Minerals

China is reinforcing its dominant position in Congo’s mining sector through a new cooperation deal, as global competition intensifies over critical minerals essential to energy and defense supply chains.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, the world’s leading cobalt producer, signed a new agreement with China to expand cooperation in mining. The deal includes geological data sharing, investment protection, and support for local processing of raw materials, according to a government statement.

Chinese firms already dominate the sector, including CMOC, Zijin and Huayou, while Beijing remains Congo’s largest bilateral creditor.

The agreement emphasizes local value addition, a strategic move to shift Congo beyond raw exports. A flagship iron ore project, MIFOR, is set to receive priority Chinese backing.

Congo’s exports to China will also benefit from duty-free access starting May 1 under a scheme covering 53 African countries, reinforcing trade flows between the two sides.

The move comes as Washington steps up efforts to counter China’s dominance. The United States signed a strategic partnership with Congo in December aimed at redirecting mineral supply chains and boosting Western investment.

“Critical minerals power our infrastructure. Our industry. Our national defense,” the US State Department had said in February. “We’re ensuring we have the supply we need to fuel our future.”

Analysts say the US approach differs structurally. Joshua Walker of NYU’s Congo Research Group said the deal with China “is clearly a riposte to Washington.”

He noted that the US agreement includes security backing in eastern Congo, where conflict persists, in exchange for access to mineral assets.

Congo is not aligning exclusively with either power. Instead, it is pursuing parallel agreements to maximize leverage over its vast reserves of cobalt, copper, lithium and coltan. “The DRC is clearly attempting to hedge its bets,” Walker said.

As both Beijing and Washington compete for influence, Congo’s position at the center of global battery supply chains is becoming increasingly strategic.