The United States is supporting American mining company Virtus Minerals in developing two major cobalt and copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in what is being presented as a significant move against China’s dominance in the critical minerals market. According to the company, this is the first American investment in Congo’s minerals sector since President Donald Trump announced the “Washington Agreement” in December 2025.
The mines, Etoile in Lubumbashi and Mutoshi in Kolwezi, are expected to produce about 75,000 tons of copper and 20,000 tons of cobalt a year combined. Trump said at the signing that it was “a great day for Africa and a great day for the world,” and made clear that the goal was to reduce reliance on sources controlled by China.
The minerals will be shipped to the West through Angola’s Lobito Corridor, a U.S.-backed infrastructure project. Frans Cronje, president of the Yorktown Foundation for Freedom, said the move reflects “a more forceful American effort to compete with China for access to Africa’s mineral resources.” He added that “more active American presence in these supply chains could significantly change the balance of influence on the continent.”
The U.S. State Department said the Trump administration and Secretary Marco Rubio are committed to supporting American companies that want to operate in Congo. Virtus CEO Philip Brown said the company plans to expand across its 56 mining licenses and also develop tungsten and other metals, saying that “all this is possible thanks to the strengthening partnership between the United States and Congo.”
