Mercuria Eyes Congo’s Coltan as US Pushes for Peace and Investment

Geneva-based Mercuria Energy Group and TechMet Ltd., a US-backed critical minerals company, are in preliminary discussions to jointly develop a large-scale tantalum project in Rubaya, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The talks come amid renewed diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration to broker peace between Congo and Rwanda, whose tensions have long fueled instability in the mineral-rich region. If successful, the collaboration could transform the global supply chain of tantalum, a strategic metal essential for producing advanced electronics, aerospace components, and defense technologies.

The proposed venture aims to modernize coltan (tantalum ore) mining and processing operations in Rubaya, one of the world’s richest known deposits. State-owned mining company SAKIMA currently holds the permit for the area but has been unable to access its concession due to the presence of M23 rebel forces, who continue to control much of the territory. Any development agreement, therefore, depends on the restoration of peace and the rebels’ withdrawal. Alongside these talks, the United States is pursuing a broader minerals partnership with the DRC, seeking to expand American investment in key resources such as copper, cobalt, and lithium to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

TechMet’s involvement brings both credibility and financing potential to the initiative. The company counts the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) among its primary investors, underscoring the geopolitical importance of securing access to Africa’s critical minerals. For Mercuria, traditionally focused on energy trading, the move marks a strategic diversification into the fast-growing critical minerals sector. Both companies are expanding their African footprint, aiming to position themselves as leaders in responsibly sourced materials that power the global energy transition.

According to the US Geological Survey, the DRC and Rwanda together account for nearly 60% of the world’s tantalum production, making the stability of this region crucial for global high-tech industries. Should peace efforts succeed, the industrialization of Rubaya could become a cornerstone for Congo’s mining revival, enabling large-scale and transparent tantalum production that aligns with international standards. Beyond economic gains, this project could foster long-term regional stability, encourage formalization of artisanal mining, and enhance Congo’s standing as a reliable supplier of strategic minerals vital for clean energy and digital technologies.

Mini-Glossary

• Coltan: A mineral ore from which tantalum is extracted, used in capacitors and high-performance electronics.
• Tantalum: A rare, heat-resistant metal essential for electronics, aerospace, and defense applications.
• M23 rebels: An armed group operating in eastern DRC, responsible for instability in several mining regions.
• Critical minerals: Resources vital to modern technologies and national security, including copper, lithium, cobalt, and tantalum.
• Industrialization of Rubaya: The transition from artisanal to modern, large-scale mining operations in the Rubaya area.