DRC approves task force for US minerals deal

The DRC has approved a task force to speed up implementation of its strategic minerals partnership with the US, according to Cabinet minutes seen by Reuters, as Kinshasa seeks to attract more Western investment into its copper and cobalt sectors. According to Market Screener, the decision marks the latest step in Congo's efforts to diversify funding sources beyond China and strengthen ties with Washington, which is seeking to challenge China's dominance of critical minerals supply chains. Congo, the world's largest cobalt producer and second-largest copper exporter, signed the partnership with the US in December. The deal has already delivered a US-backed mining investment through Virtus Minerals and expanded copper offtake arrangements between state miner Gecamines and traders Mercuria and Glencore, boosting Congolese sales to Western markets. The 11 September Cabinet decision formally establishes a ‘DRC-USA Task Force’ to accelerate execution of the partnership, according to a government account of the meeting. Economy Minister Daniel Samba told Ministers the body would help translate commitments made under the partnership into ‘concrete economic and security results’ for Congolese citizens, the statement said. It did not provide details on the task force's composition or identify priority projects it would oversee. A government official said the task force was initially due to become operational in February but was delayed by administrative hurdles.