The Democratic Republic of Congo is establishing a $100mn Mining Guard force to protect its valuable mineral resources amid growing international competition. Backed by the United States and United Arab Emirates, the security unit will deploy up to 20,000 troops across 22 mining provinces by 2028, replacing the existing mining police force with enhanced security capabilities and mineral traceability protocols.

The initiative reflects Washington's strategic push to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals, following last year's economic and security agreement with Kinshasa. Rwanda-backed M23 rebels currently control mines in eastern Congo, creating significant obstacles for international investors seeking access to the nation's rich deposits of copper, cobalt, and other strategic metals needed for the green transition.

US-backed consortium recently acquired copper and cobalt miner Chemaf in a test of the bilateral partnership, while KoBold Metals, backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has begun lithium exploration projects. Analysts emphasize that attracting billions in mining investment requires de-risking commercial assets and ensuring reliable protection throughout the supply chain, with the new guard expected to provide a more stable environment for commercial operations.