The United States is ramping up efforts to challenge China’s grip on Africa’s critical minerals, backing a $9 billion move to take a 40% stake in Glencore’s copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country central to global battery and clean energy supply chains.
- The United States is increasing its involvement in Africa’s critical minerals sector through a $9 billion agreement between Glencore and the Orion Critical Mineral Consortium.
- The transaction involves Glencore’s Mutanda Mining and Kamoto Copper Company operations, key producers of cobalt and copper in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Critical minerals like cobalt and copper are essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy to advance sustainable technologies.
- The agreement aligns with U.S. strategic interests to secure critical mineral supply chains and counteract China’s dominance in global mineral processing.
Africa is increasingly at the center of global competition for critical minerals, as the United States deepens its footprint on the continent.
Glencore PLC has agreed to sell a 40% stake in its Democratic Republic of Congo copper and cobalt operations to the U.S.-backed Orion Critical Mineral Consortium in a deal valued at approximately $9 billion, including debt.
The transaction, announced on Tuesday, covers Glencore’s Mutanda Mining (Mumi) and Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) projects, two of the largest Western-owned producers of cobalt and copper in the DRC.
These minerals are essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and advanced manufacturing.
Orion CMC, established in October 2025 and led by Orion Resource Partners in partnership with the U.S. government, will have the right to appoint non-executive directors to the boards of Mumi and KCC.
In addition, the consortium can direct the sale of its share of production to nominated buyers, while Glencore will continue to manage day-to-day operations of the mines as part of its group.
Expansion and Partnership Opportunities
Following the $9 billion agreement for a 40% stake in Glencore’s DRC mines, the U.S.-backed Orion Critical Minerals Consortium will explore expanding both mines in partnership with the DRC government and Gécamines, and may pursue additional critical mineral projects across the African Copperbelt.
Glencore CEO Gary Nagle said the company was “pleased that the U.S. government and Orion CMC have recognized Glencore’s role as the only major Western producer of copper and cobalt in the DRC. Through this partnership, we would be able to support the ambitions of the U.S. government and private sector with the supply of two critical minerals.”
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau added that the deal “reflects the core objectives of the US-DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement by encouraging greater US investment in the DRC’s mining sector and promoting secure, reliable, and mutually beneficial flows of critical minerals between our two countries.”
U.S. Strategic Interests and Competition with China
The proposed transaction underscores Washington’s growing concern over supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly its reliance on China for critical minerals used in clean energy, electric vehicles, and defence technologies.
China already controls or exerts significant influence over several of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s largest copper and cobalt operations, including the Tenke Fungurume mine, majority owned by China Molybdenum, as well as the Kisanfu and Deziwa projects operated by Chinese state-linked firms.
Africa, with its vast untapped reserves of strategic minerals, has become a key arena in this competition, with the DRC playing a central role due to its dominant position in global cobalt supply.
Meanwhile: Rio Tinto Acquisition Talks
Meanwhile, Rio Tinto is in early talks to acquire Glencore, a move that could create the world’s largest mining company with a combined market value exceeding $200 billion.
The parties have until February 5 to announce a firm intention to proceed or withdraw, though an extension could be requested.
Glencore and Orion CMC cautioned that the agreement remains subject to due diligence, regulatory approvals, and the execution of legally binding documents.
