A partnership with a company called Glencore offers a way to acquire the critical minerals in a newly stable African country.
Few countries in the world possess greater untapped mineral wealth than the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). However, due to ethnic conflict and other challenges, the DRC has been plagued by instability. All that may be about to change, however, with a new peace treaty signed between the DRC and Rwanda—negotiated by the United States —bringing an end to more than thirty years of ethnic conflict along the two countries’ borders.
The treaty sets conditions for political and societal stability between the two countries, as well as improves prospects for mining in DRC’s mineral-rich Katanga and Kivu regions by reducing volatility in Congo’s mineral markets and encouraging investment. These regions are rich in cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, and tantalum, among other minerals.
Decades-long US diplomatic and military work have built the clout necessary to close the deal between the DRC and Rwanda. As a US Army officer deployed to the Rwanda-Zaire (now DRC) border in 1996, I experienced first-hand—at its source—both ethnic conflict and complete societal chaos. Our diplomacy and military assistance then helped to address the problems by working with the leader of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and the leader of the ultimately successful new leader of the DRC, Laurent Kabila, whose son Joseph retains significant clout in the DRC.
Our positive engagement in the late 1990s gave the United States huge influence with the successor leadership from both countries, as evidenced by America’s leading role in brokering the peace and linked agreement for regional economic integration, including increased mineral access. As a result, the United States stands to take advantage of the vast mineral wealth in the DRC, notably the world’s largest reserves of the critical mineral cobalt.
Robust US investment in the DRC’s mineral wealth is the necessary next step. To that end, the Trump Administration has rightly prioritized sourcing critical minerals from the DRC to meet our domestic commercial demand and the US government’s military readiness needs. Trump’s appointed senior advisor Massad Boulous should forge partnerships with reliable, blue-chip business allies to meet these objectives.
The United States should commit to Glencore—one of the world’s largest globally diversified natural resource companies—as its partner. Glencore is the only Western company with active, productive assets in the DRC, and it has an established infrastructure both in the DRC and domestically in the United States. With significant operations already supporting major automotive players such as Tesla, General Motors, and BMW, Glencore demonstrates unmatched expertise and capacity in meeting the United States’ critical mineral demands.
Partnering with Glencore offers the United States a strategic advantage by reducing its dependence on Chinese processing capabilities, given the massive Chinese influence in resource markets worldwide, as most consumer electronics likely contain DRC-sourced cobalt processed through Chinese supply chains. By focusing on seasoned companies like Glencore, the Trump administration can ensure stable supply chains for iPhones, batteries, and even the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber recently deployed over Iran.
The U.S. can enhance its partnership with Glencore using the already-established Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) program, which aligns with the United States’ strategic goals for diverse and resilient supply chains. The MSP accelerates the development of diverse critical mineral supply chains by encouraging investment by reputable mining companies in cooperation with industry and other governments. The United States can also foster long-term investment with targeted financial incentives, such as foreign tax provisions for international partners like Glencore.
These efforts encourage greenfield investment by providing technical assistance, such as geological mapping, to encourage new mining ventures and attract additional mining investment in the DRC. The United States can also enhance its mineral diplomacy capabilities at the US Embassy to the DRC by appointing personnel focused on geological surveys, resource strategy, and mobilizing private investments.
Especially now during rising strategic tensions, the United States can’t waste time and effort on ineffective resourcing solutions. Encouraging investments and partnerships with Glencore aligns with US national interests by securing a reliable source of critical minerals necessary for technological advancement and economic security, and it also accomplishes the objective of countering Chinese exploitation of Africa’s mineral wealth. Moreover, Glencore’s US-based supply chain will enhance its partnership with the United States.
As the most reliable partner for supplying minerals immediately, Glencore is the solution now and in the future. Policymakers would be well-advised that this solution gives the United States a quick win for sourcing critical minerals for our consumer, economic, and defense industrial bases.
Note: This article represents the author’s personal views and does not reflect the views of the United States Army or the United States government and does not profit from any of his policy recommendations.
About the Author: Brigadier General John Adams
John Adams, U.S. Army Brigadier General (Retired), is President of Guardian Six Consulting and former Deputy U.S. Military Representative to NATO’s Military Committee. He worked with military representatives of NATO and Partnership for Peace member nations to develop policy recommendations for the political authorities of the Alliance and helped coordinate the transfer of authority in Afghanistan from US to NATO control. He has a B.A. in economics from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, an M.A. in International Relations from Boston University, an M.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an M.A. in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and has completed the US /Russia Flag Officers’ Program at Harvard University.
Image: Shutterstock/BJP7images
