The US is working on a critical minerals deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, following a model similar to its recent Ukraine agreement.
The negotiations aim to end decades of conflict in eastern Congo, where valuable minerals like tin, tungsten, and coltan are mined.
The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels recently advanced through the region, threatening operations at the Bisie tin mine – the world’s fourth-largest tin producer.
As peace talks progress, the parties hope to establish bilateral minerals agreements that could provide the US with more immediate access to critical minerals than the Ukraine deal.