US wants revised terms on Ukraine minerals deal, FT reports
The Trump administration is looking to renegotiate its proposed minerals deal with Ukraine which, if agreed on, would grant the US expanded access to the Eastern European resources,
the Financial Times reported on Friday.
The
FT has learned, citing Ukrainian officials, that Washington wants to broaden the terms of the deal to include other assets, most notably a nuclear power plant that is currently under Russian control. It is also looking to add more specific provisions on American ownership of a joint investment fund.
These changes would, the sources said, essentially require a renegotiation of the unsigned minerals that
fell apart last month.
The
FT report comes a day after US President Donald Trump said that a minerals deal will be signed “shortly” following his talks this week with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
The pledge was made following his
signing of an executive order to increase US production of critical minerals.
In addition to Ukraine, Trump said that his government is also looking at rare earths and minerals in other countries.
mining.com
*To remind,
Game Over for Kagame: KoBold Metals and Bill Gates Move to Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is finally receiving the attention and respect it deserves.
A powerful U.S. company called KoBold Metals, supported by billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, is now preparing to invest in Congo’s rich lithium resources.
This move could bring huge change to the country and marks a major shift in global interest,
away from Rwanda and into Congo, where the real value lies.
For years,
Rwanda under Paul Kagame has been accused of stealing Congo’s natural resources, especially from the east of the country.
While the world turned a blind eye, Kagame’s regime continued to support rebel groups that caused violence in Congo, all to gain control of valuable minerals like cobalt and gold.
Rwanda’s so-called “success story” was built on Congo’s stolen wealth, but now the tide is turning.
Today,
the world is seeing the truth, and
Bill Gates, once close to Kagame, is moving his support to Congo.
This is not just business; this is justice.
KoBold Metals is using
modern technology and artificial intelligence to find and develop critical minerals needed for electric cars and green energy.
Lithium is one of these minerals, and Congo’s Manono project holds one of the largest hard rock lithium deposits in the world.
KoBold wants to help develop it fairly, legally, and in partnership with the Congolese people.
In a letter to President Félix Tshisekedi, KoBold said the Manono area "has the potential to become a large-scale, long-lived lithium mine."
This is not a small promise.
This is a serious opportunity for Congo to grow its economy, create jobs, and become a global leader in clean energy minerals.
What is Lithium?
Lithium is a special metal used to make rechargeable batteries, like the ones in electric cars, smartphones, and solar power systems.
As the world moves to clean energy, lithium is becoming one of the most important resources on Earth.
That’s why countries and companies are racing to secure it.
Congo’s lithium, especially from the Manono project, could power the future of green energy worldwide
While Congo is working hard to attract honest investment,
a legal fight between Australian company AVZ Minerals and Chinese firm Zijin has slowed progress.
Years ago, Congo canceled AVZ’s license and gave part of the land to China’s Zijin. 
But now, with support from the U.S. and KoBold Metals, Congo has a chance to move forward with trusted partners, not those who want to take without giving back.
Even more powerful is what this shift means for
geopolitics in Africa.
The United States, through companies like KoBold, is showing it wants to support
real partnerships with Congo, not just benefit from its resources.
This could help weaken
Rwanda’s unfair influence, which has caused too much damage already.
Let’s not forget: Congo holds the world’s biggest supply of cobalt, the second-largest supply of copper, and large amounts of lithium, tin, and gold.
These are not just rocks but they are
the future of the world’s energy, and Congo owns them.
www.xtrafrica.com
AVZ visits US, billionaire-backed KoBold now wants Manono
Messy ownership struggle for huge hard rock lithium deposit takes another turn
