The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is pushing to finalize a significant minerals agreement with the United States by the end of June, senior Congolese officials confirmed.

This deal aims to attract U.S. investment into the country’s critical minerals sector and secure American support to help resolve the ongoing Rwandan-backed rebellion in eastern Congo, according to a Financial Times report.

This move is part of Washington’s broader strategy to reassert its influence in Congo’s mining industry, long dominated by China.

The DRC holds vast reserves of cobalt, copper, coltan, and other minerals vital to green technologies and global supply chains, making it a global hotspot for competition.

China has deeply embedded itself in Congo’s mining operations, especially in the copper belt, controlling everything from small-scale artisanal dealers to major firms like Shanghai-based CMOC.

Beijing solidified its presence in 2008 with a multibillion-dollar minerals-for-infrastructure deal with Kinshasa, cementing China’s grip on the country’s resource wealth.

Congo’s Mining Minister, Kizito Pakabomba, told the Financial Times that a U.S. partnership would help “diversify our partnerships” and reduce dependence on China for tapping into the DRC’s abundant mineral resources.

The anticipated agreement could also open doors for collaboration between the DRC and neighboring countries, including Rwanda, in the export and processing of critical metals.

Rwanda has faced longstanding accusations of exploiting border conflicts to illegally extract Congolese resources such as coltan, a crucial mineral for mobile phones, and gold.

Despite this, President Paul Kagame’s government denies supporting the M23 rebel group, insisting its forces act in self-defense against threats.

Sources familiar with the negotiations suggest Rwanda sees the talks as an opportunity to legitimize its access to Congolese minerals and attract U.S. investment to develop its own metals processing sector.

However, Kinshasa maintains that any such cooperation must come after the restoration of control over contested territories, including strategic cities like Goma and Bukavu, which it has lost to rebel forces.