In what’s being hailed as a major win for the Trump administration against Chinese domination of the rare earth minerals market, the U.S.has supported an American company, Virtus Minerals, in developing two major mines producing cobalt and copper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).This is claimed to be the first U.S.
rare earth minerals acquisition in the African nation since President Trump announced the Washington Accord last December.Historically, China has been the heavy lifter of these metals.The Strategic Studies Institute reported that 80% of the world’s cobalt is produced in the DRC — and 80% of that is controlled by China.
Cobalt, used in a wide range of applications, from electric cars and mobile phones to military jets, is on the U.S.government’s list of critical minerals.
Copper, also on the list, has traditional uses such as piping for plumbing, but is also needed in electronics and the automotive industry.President Donald Trump attends a signing ceremony with Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi at the Donald J.Trump Institute of Peace in Washington on Dec.
4, 2025.(Evan Vucci/AP)During December’s signing at the White House, Trump made clear the administration’s fight to curb Chinese domination of minerals and help American mining companies make a major impact in the DRC.
"A great day for Africa, a great day for the world," Trump said. The accord also aims to bring an end to fighting between the DRC and Rwandan-backed forces, although the Rwandan-supported M23 rebel group have continued their hostile infiltration in the Eastern DRC.American mining company Virtus is, with U.S.
support, claiming to be "the first U.S.-owned operator back in the DRC in more than a decade", with its investment in Chemaf, a local cobalt and copper producer with two mining operations, one, Étoile, in Lubumbashi and Mutoshi, in Kolwezi.Together it’s planned the mines will produ...