The Democratic Republic of the Congo has offered the Rubaya coltan mine, one of the world’s richest tantalum deposits, for preferential access to the United States under a new strategic minerals cooperation framework, according to Reuters.
Located in North Kivu and currently controlled by Rwandan‑backed rebels, Rubaya produces coltan, the ore used to extract tantalum, a heat‑resistant metal essential for semiconductors, mobile devices, aerospace components, and defence technologies. The mine accounts for roughly 15 percent of global coltan output, making it a critical asset for global technology supply chains, Investing.com reported.
Under the February 5 agreement in Washington, the U.S. will gain preferential access to Rubaya and other strategic deposits, including lithium, copper‑cobalt, and gold assets. The deal aims to secure conflict-free critical minerals, reduce reliance on China, and support U.S. technology, defence, and aerospace industries.
Kinshasa estimates that $50–150 million is needed to restart and scale up Rubaya’s operations, with rapid cost recovery expected due to strong global demand for tantalum. The arrangement underscores Washington’s increasing engagement in Africa’s mineral sector amid intensifying global competition for critical resources. The deal also highlights the challenges of investing in regions affected by conflict, as Rubaya remains under rebel control and subject to ongoing governance and security risks.
