Congo launches $100 million US-backed mining guard to secure strategic mineral sites

Monday 27 April 2026 - 12:00

The Democratic Republic of Congo has announced the creation of a new paramilitary mining protection unit aimed at securing key mineral sites and strengthening control over strategic supply chains.

The initiative, supported by international partnerships, is designed to address long-standing challenges in the country’s mining sector, including illegal extraction, smuggling, and insecurity in resource-rich regions.

According to the General Inspectorate of Mines, the project will be financed through a $100 million budget backed by cooperation agreements with the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The goal is to improve transparency, attract investment, and reduce dependence on military forces for mine security.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt and also holds significant reserves of copper, lithium, coltan, and gold. Despite this wealth, the mining sector has long been affected by armed conflict and illegal trade networks, particularly in the eastern regions.

Authorities say the new mining guard will be deployed gradually across mining zones and is expected to reach more than 20,000 personnel by 2028. A first group of up to 3,000 recruits is planned to become operational in late 2026 after undergoing specialized training in coordination with military instructors.

Officials believe the initiative will help stabilize mining areas, improve oversight of production chains, and strengthen investor confidence at a time when global demand for critical minerals continues to rise.

The move also comes amid broader geopolitical competition over access to strategic resources, with Western countries seeking to diversify supply chains away from dominant global producers.