Congo says it would seek other partners if US minerals framework fails
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Republic of Congo will look for other partners if its minerals cooperation framework with the US does not lead to concrete projects, the country's mines minister said.
"Everything we have done with America is a framework under which we will discuss questions of mutual interest. That is all it is," Louis Watum Kabamba said on the sidelines of the Indaba mining conference in Cape Town.
"It may become a good major project. It may also become another project that does not interest them. We will continue because there are many other partners to discuss with."
Congo, home to some of the world's largest reserves of cobalt, copper and lithium, in December signed a framework agreement with the US aimed at developing a supply chain for critical minerals used in data centres, defence and electric vehicles.
Washington wants access to a spectrum of natural resources as it scrambles to counter China's dominance.
But the minister said the arrangement remained preliminary.
"For those who think we are going to sell everything for nothing to America, I must be very clear: we have sold nothing. And we will sell nothing for nothing," he added.
Watum Kabamba said Congo's minerals endowment is exploited at less than 10% today. The central African country hosts major mining companies including Western-listed Glencore and Ivanhoe Mines, as well as China's CMOC Group and Zijin Mining.
"The rivalry between China and the United States - we are not interested in it. We must play our own game as the DRC," he said. "We have our own problems. We must feed people. We must invest in human capital for our youth."
Article Enquiry
Email Article
Save Article
Feedback
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
Research Reports
Projects
Latest Multimedia
Latest News
Showroom
As a reticulator, Egoli Gas provides natural gas to homes and businesses via underground pipes.
VISIT SHOWROOM
AirNox (Pty) Ltd is a level 1 BBBEE manufacturer of complete AdBlue® solutions for operators of SCR diesel engines and AUS40 across South Africa...
VISIT SHOWROOM
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation
