Congo Approves U.S. Firm’s Acquisition of Major Cobalt Miner in Strategic Minerals Deal

Mar 17, 2026 09:52 UTC

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo has approved a U.S. company’s acquisition of a key cobalt mining operation, marking a pivotal development in global critical mineral supply chains. The move strengthens U.S.-DRC cooperation in securing battery-grade cobalt for clean energy and defense technologies.

Congo approved a U.S. firm’s acquisition of a major cobalt miner
The operation is located near Lubumbashi, DRC
The mine is operated by Chemaf SA
Raw cobalt is transported via conveyor belt for processing
The deal strengthens supply chains for battery metals
Cobalt is vital for lithium-ion batteries and defense applications

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has cleared the acquisition of a major cobalt mining asset by a U.S.-based firm, signaling a strategic shift in critical mineral sourcing. The approval underscores growing international interest in securing stable supplies of cobalt, a key component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and defense systems. The transaction centers on a mining operation in the DRC’s southern region, near Lubumbashi, where raw cobalt is processed from ore extracted via conveyor systems at a facility operated by Chemaf SA. This development reinforces the DRC’s central role in the global cobalt supply chain and bolsters U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on foreign sources for battery metals. The deal is expected to enhance long-term supply security and support global electric mobility and defense sector initiatives dependent on high-performance energy storage.