The Trump administration has achieved what is being described as a significant victory in the global competition for rare earth minerals by supporting Virtus Minerals, an American company, in developing two major cobalt and copper mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) [1]. This marks the first U.S. rare earth minerals acquisition in the DRC since the announcement of the Washington Accord in December, which was signed at the White House and aimed at curbing Chinese dominance in the sector [1].
China has historically controlled the rare earth minerals market, with the Strategic Studies Institute reporting that 80% of the world’s cobalt is produced in the DRC, and 80% of that output is under Chinese control [1]. Cobalt and copper are both on the U.S. government’s list of critical minerals, essential for industries ranging from electric vehicles and electronics to military applications [1].
Virtus Minerals, with U.S. backing, claims to be the first U.S.-owned operator in the DRC in over a decade, investing in Chemaf, a local producer with two mining operations: Étoile in Lubumbashi and Mutoshi in Kolwezi [1]. The combined output from these mines is planned to reach 75,000 tonnes of copper and 20,000 tonnes of cobalt annually, with processing plants expected to come online next year [1]. The minerals will be exported to Western markets via the Lobito Corridor, a rail route to an Angolan port, which the U.S. has supported with a $5 billion investment to secure an auditable supply chain for itself and its allies [1].
Frans Cronje, president of the Yorktown Foundation for Freedom, emphasized the strategic significance of these projects, stating that they represent a more assertive U.S. effort to compete with China for access to Africa’s critical mineral resources, particularly in the DRC [1]. The Washington Accord also aims to address ongoing conflict in the region, though hostilities involving the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group persist [1].
CONCLUSION
The U.S.-backed entry of Virtus Minerals into the DRC’s cobalt and copper sector marks a pivotal shift in the global rare earth minerals landscape, directly challenging China’s longstanding dominance. With substantial planned output and a secure export route, this development is poised to reshape supply chains for critical minerals vital to energy, technology, and defense industries.