The frantic race for the mineral resources of the copper belt in Zambia and the DRC continues to rage. This region, rich in copper and cobalt, has become one of the major challenges for the major world powers in search of strategic raw materials.
China, which has long invested in the region, seeks to maintain its dominance by building key infrastructure. In the 1970s, China built a railway line linking Zambia to the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, thus facilitating the export of minerals. Today, China is seeking to rehabilitate this line in order to continue transporting copper and cobalt to its factories. During the Zambian president’s visit to China last September, the railway line rehabilitation project was at the heart of discussions.
But China is not the only one interested in the copper belt. The United States, keen not to be outdone, is also seeking to exert its influence in the region. On the West African coast, Americans and Europeans are actively working on the “Lobito Corridor” project, which aims to connect mineral-rich areas to this Angolan port. Washington does not hide its intention to compete with China and wishes to move forward quickly in the development of this strategic corridor.
This battle for control of the copper belt’s mineral resources highlights the growing importance of minerals to the global electric battery industry. Copper and cobalt are essential components used in the manufacture of these batteries, which are increasingly in demand as the energy transition accelerates.
However, this frantic quest for mineral resources also raises concerns about the social and environmental consequences. Mining operations in the region have often been associated with human rights abuses, forced evictions and massive environmental destruction. Organizations like Amnesty International have denounced these practices and are calling for stricter regulation of the mining industry in the region.
In this context, it is essential to find a balance between meeting the needs for strategic raw materials and protecting human rights and the environment. Responsible management of the mineral resources of the Copper Belt is necessary to ensure sustainable development for the countries of the region and to avoid uncontrolled exploitation of these resources.