Securing supply chains of critical minerals: the DRC strengthens its governance
In an effort to ensure the security of U.S. supply chains for critical minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), legislation to strengthen governance in that country was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 12, 2023.
According to James, U.S. Representative and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, this law is of strategic importance to the United States and its allies. Ensuring reliable and consistent U.S. access to critical mineral supply chains from the DRC is critical to bolstering the country’s national security.
The “Bridge to DRC” law aims to ban the import of Congolese products containing essential minerals for the electric vehicle sector. Indeed, China, which controls the majority of cobalt mines in the DRC, is accused of using child labor in its mining operations. This legislation is therefore intended to protect US supply chains from harmful Chinese influence and to promote human rights and democracy in the DRC.
The DRC is a country endowed with a mining potential estimated at 24,000 billion dollars, in particular thanks to its cobalt resources, essential for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries used in particular in electric vehicles. Since 2008, the DRC has established a partnership in the mining sector with China, which holds a 68% stake in the company Sicomines, which specializes in copper and cobalt.
This new law raises important issues of transparency and respect for human rights. It aims to encourage the DRC to strengthen its governance and establish specific human rights and democracy criteria in order to consolidate bilateral relations with the United States.
In conclusion, securing supply chains of critical minerals from the DRC is a major concern for the United States. The Bridge to DRC Act seeks to protect US interests while encouraging the DRC to improve its governance and respect human rights. It is essential to find a balance between economic development and the protection of vulnerable populations, such as children employed in mining operations. Implementing strict regulations and promoting responsible practices are important challenges in this quest to secure supply chains