Ivanhoe and QIA Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Critical Minerals in the DRC

Ivanhoe Mines and the Qatar Investment Authority have entered a significant new phase of cooperation with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Building on QIA’s substantial 500 million dollar investment announced in late 2025, the agreement establishes a long term partnership designed to accelerate the exploration, development, and sustainable supply of critical minerals that underpin global energy transitions and high technology industries. The signing, which took place during the Amir of Qatar’s visit to the DRC, marks a strategic deepening of Qatar’s engagement in one of the world’s most mineral endowed jurisdictions.

The MoU outlines a broad framework for collaboration that positions both parties to take advantage of rapidly rising demand for minerals essential to electrification, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy technologies. QIA’s decision to expand its partnership with Ivanhoe reflects strong confidence in the company’s operational expertise and its role in advancing future facing commodities. The agreement also signifies Qatar’s ambition to build alliances with leading mineral producers, ensuring long term access to the materials needed to support national and global industrial strategies.

Key areas of cooperation will include accelerating exploration across the Western Forelands, with particular emphasis on the emerging Makoko District, a region viewed as one of the most promising copper and critical mineral frontiers in Central Africa. The partnership will also leverage QIA’s extensive global financial network to provide preferential financing structures for new projects. In addition, both parties will evaluate joint merger and acquisition opportunities, enabling them to strategically expand their footprint across the critical minerals value chain. Beyond resource development, the MoU covers collaboration on essential infrastructure such as logistics, power generation, water management, and transport systems, all of which are vital for large scale mining operations. The partners also intend to jointly advance downstream smelting and refining capabilities, a step that could add significant in country value and support industrial growth within the DRC.

At the diplomatic level, the agreement strengthens ties between Qatar and the DRC, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable resource development and economic diversification. For the DRC, the partnership offers not only access to additional capital but also the potential to accelerate mineral processing, improve infrastructure, and expand the country’s role in global supply chains for green energy and advanced technology manufacturing.

In a broader African context, this collaboration could have far reaching implications for the continent’s mining landscape. Strengthened financial backing, improved infrastructure networks, and expanded downstream capacity may elevate the DRC’s competitiveness as a supplier of critical minerals. Successful implementation of these initiatives could attract further investment into African mining and reinforce the continent’s central role in meeting rising global demand for copper, cobalt, and other strategic materials.

Mini Glossary

• Critical Minerals: Minerals essential for technologies such as batteries, renewable energy systems, and electronics, often with limited global supply sources.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): A formal agreement outlining cooperation between parties without legally binding obligations.
• Downstream Processing: Industrial activities such as smelting and refining that add value to raw minerals before they enter manufacturing supply chains.
• Western Forelands: A geologically prospective region near Ivanhoe’s Kamoa Kakula operations, known for hosting high grade copper targets.