US–DRC Strategic Mineral Partnership Information Session

Image Credit : VON BATTEN-MONTAGUE-YORK, L.C.

Missang had the privilege of joining the US–DRC Strategic Mineral Partnership Information Session hosted by Dr. Karl Von Batten, FRSPH — a powerful and timely discussion on how we build more ethical, resilient, and future-ready supply chains.

One of the standout contributions came from KoBold Metals , who are investing $1 billion in an AI-powered underground mining operation across Zambia and the DRC and developing lithium project in DRC. This is a glimpse into what’s possible when political will meets technology, capital and responsibility.

But what truly grounded the conversation was this shared understanding:

🕊️ Peace in Eastern DRC is non-negotiable.

CriticalMinerals must no longer fuel conflict — they must fund transformation: infrastructure, education, health, and Generational_Prosperity.

💡 Key Takeways :

🇺🇸 The U.S. Government is backing private sector investment into the DRC , with joint ventures and offtake agreements encouraged, provided they adhere to the highest standards of ethics and transparency.

💎 Companies like Buenassa are leading by example — pioneering in-country beneficiation and proving that Congolese-led innovation can meet global demand on local terms.

🚫 There was a clear rejection of the old extractive model. The focus now is on transgenerational wealth creation, anti-corruption, and building a new compact between people and profits.

🇬🇧 At MISSANG this is exactly the vision we’ve been advocating for a DRC and Africa that is not just mined but respected, not just visited but partnered with. A country, a continent that helps shape, not just serve, the energy_transition.

🌐 The UK has a vital role to play — as a bridge between Africa, the Middle East, and the West. Strategic_diplomacy, financial_leadership, and standards-based collaboration can make the UK a key player in this next chapter.

🔜 As we prepare for the 2nd Edition of the UK–Middle East–Africa Critical Minerals Forum, Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum (MENAF) , MISSANG and other patterns will continue engaging stakeholders across governmenst, industry, and civil society to ensure that this vision becomes reality.

Because critical minerals are not just about batteries or markets — they are about people, peace, and the power of possibility.