Even as Washington works to ease tensions between Congo and Rwanda and stabilise the region for investment, Africa’s largest cobalt producer has signed a fresh mining cooperation deal with China, reinforcing Beijing’s stronghold in the country’s critical minerals sector

Congo, the world’s top producer of cobalt and a major supplier of copper, lithium and coltan, has signed a fresh mining cooperation deal with China, reinforcing its central role in the global energy transition.

According to Reuters, the agreement focuses on cooperation in geological data sharing, investment protection and the promotion of local processing of raw materials within Congo.

It also establishes a monitoring framework to ensure compliance with local laws and improve transparency.

As part of the deal, priority will be given to key projects such as the MIFOR iron ore development in northeastern Congo, signalling continued Chinese backing for large-scale resource extraction and infrastructure.

China’s presence in Congo’s mining sector remains deeply entrenched, with companies such as CMOC Group, Zijin Mining and Huayou Cobalt controlling major assets including the Tenke Fungurume mine, the Kisanfu project and stakes in Kolwezi copper-cobalt operations.