The United States is facing a strategic economic and national security challenge: securing critical mineral supplies without relying on geopolitical
copperbeltkatangamining.com
-This minerals-for-security-and-development agreement places Kinshasa under scrutiny, particularly in terms of mining governance and transparency—key conditions for
attracting U.S. private sector investment.
-Washington’s stance is firm:
access to the DRC’s mineral wealth must be underpinned by responsible governance, as emphasized in recent U.S. executive orders that link critical mineral security directly to national economic resilience.
-Mr. Boulos has been clear: any partnership must adhere to principles of good mining governance and financial transparency.
-This represents a significant test for the Congolese government, some members of which have been criticized for mismanaging public resources.
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The manipulation of mining cadastre records (CAMI) to reassign valid concessions is also under scrutiny.
-The ongoing dispute between Australia’s AVZ Minerals and Cominière over the Manono lithium project serves as a case in point, highlighting governance failures in how mining rights were handled and reassigned.
-As negotiations continue, the U.S. is pushing for reforms in the management of mining titles, urging Congo to clarify the role of its private mining sector.
-To date, the Congolese companies that will partner with American firms under this deal remain unidentified.
[I am guessing Cominiere is out]
It just doesn't make sense to stiff AVZ or leave Manono locked up in a legal quagmire with the above goals in mind.