Tantalum is a vital component used in smartphones, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and military electronics, making it a highly strategic resource in the global technology race.
According to Reuters, a senior Congolese official and a U.S. diplomat confirmed that the Rubaya mining area was included on a shortlist presented during a February 5 meeting in Washington between DR Congo and U.S. officials to advance their strategic minerals partnership agreed in December.
The move is part of a wider U.S. mineral engagement with Congo, which includes supporting mining investment and supply chain development aimed at reducing Western dependence on China, currently the dominant processor of critical minerals.
U.S. mineral access tied to peace push between DR Congo and Rwanda
U.S. officials have encouraged both countries to pursue peace talks alongside economic agreements that would unlock billions of dollars in mining investment.
The approach reflects a strategic shift in U.S. foreign policy, where economic partnerships are increasingly linked to conflict resolution and long-term geopolitical positioning.
Beyond peace efforts, Washington’s involvement also reflects a global scramble for critical minerals essential for advanced technologies. Congo holds the world’s largest reserves of cobalt and major deposits of tantalum, lithium, and copper, making it indispensable to the global energy transition.
The mine and surrounding hills remain under the control of AFC/M23 rebels, whose occupation has fuelled organised smuggling networks into Rwanda, the United Nations said in a report last year.
The U.N. estimates the rebels, which Rwanda denies backing, collect at least $800,000 per month from taxes on Rubaya coltan production and trade.
For Congo, the partnership offers an opportunity to attract investment, modernize mining infrastructure, and reduce conflict driven by informal mineral extraction.
As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, the U.S.–Congo mineral partnership could reshape both the future of the tech industry and the geopolitical balance in Africa’s resource-rich heartland.
