The U.S. is expanding its critical minerals supply chain through investments in African projects like Tanzania's Kabanga and DRC's Mutanda and Kamoto mines.
US expands mineral strategy in Africa
The United States is increasing its involvement in securing a stable supply of critical minerals, which are essential for technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Through financial support, loans, and equity investments, the US is focusing on Africa, a region rich in these valuable resources.Orion CMC targets African projects
Orion Critical Minerals (Orion CMC), a fund backed by the United States, is actively expanding its presence in Africa. The fund aims to invest in strategic projects that provide critical minerals, such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and others. These minerals are vital for manufacturing batteries, electronics, and defense equipment.Kabanga project under negotiation
Lifezone Metals, a Tanzanian company, confirmed in a statement on October 23 that it is in talks with Orion CMC regarding an investment in the Kabanga nickel and cobalt project. This project is seen as a key asset in Tanzania and could significantly contribute to the global supply of these minerals.Orion CMC's African strategy
Orion CMC was established in October 2025 by Orion Resource Partners to fund projects focused on critical minerals. Its strategy includes partnerships with major mining companies and acquiring stakes in existing projects. One of its first major moves was a memorandum of understanding with the Swiss firm Glencore in February 2026.Glencore deal in the DRC
Under the agreement with Glencore, Orion CMC plans to acquire a 40 percent stake in the copper and cobalt mines of Mutanda and Kamoto in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This deal, valued at around 9 billion USD, would give Orion CMC a share of the production from these mines.Kabanga's potential and funding needs
The Kabanga project in Tanzania, which is expected to produce 902,000 tons of nickel over 18 years, requires significant investment. Lifezone Metals has been seeking a strategic investor to fund the project, and Orion CMC is one of the potential backers. The investment is estimated at around 500 million USD.Negotiations ongoing for Kabanga
Oskar Lewnowski, CEO of Orion Resource Partners, stated that negotiations for the Kabanga investment are at an "advanced stage." However, the final amount of the investment has not yet been disclosed. Lifezone Metals has been working to secure funding for the project's development and construction.Other African initiatives
Beyond Kabanga and the DRC, Orion CMC is also involved in other African projects. It is mentioned as a potential investor in Virtus Minerals, which operates copper and cobalt mines in the DRC. Additionally, Orion CMC and Glencore have expressed interest in acquiring more mining assets in the region.US efforts beyond Africa
While Orion CMC is a key player in Africa, the United States is also pursuing other strategies to secure its supply of critical minerals. These include offering subsidies and federal funding for domestic mining projects, as well as negotiating bilateral agreements with mineral-producing countries.Bilateral agreements with African nations
The United States has already signed an agreement with the DRC on critical minerals, aiming to strengthen cooperation in the sector. Another agreement is being negotiated with Zambia, which is Africa’s second-largest copper producer, further highlighting the importance of African resources in US strategy.
