The US may get a tantalum deposit in Congo in exchange for peace

Trump is offered to give the US access to the tantalum deposit in Congo in exchange for an end to the war

According to Bloomberg, the United States was offered access to a large field of tantalum and coltan in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in exchange for diplomatic assistance in ending the long-running armed conflict in the east of the country.

The initiative was taken by representatives of the DR Congo government during negotiations with the US side, which took place as part of the administration's efforts Donald Trump to conclude new peace agreements in unstable regions of Africa.

Details of the deal

The proposal provides that the US energy and commodities company Mercuria Energy Group may receive a concession for the development of one of the world's largest fields coltan - the mineral from which it is extracted tantalum, is critical for the production of microchips, batteries and communication systems.

Instead, Washington can act as mediator in the settlement of the conflict between government forces and armed groups in the eastern provinces of Congo, where clashes over control of natural resources have been going on for many years.

Geopolitical context

Coltan and tantalum are of strategic importance to the US technology industry. Currently, China controls most of the world's supply, so any access to African deposits is seen by Washington as an opportunity to reduce dependence on Beijing.

Analysts believe that Trump may use the potential deal as part of his global «peacekeeping strategy» - similar to previous initiatives in the Middle East.

Reaction.

Mercuria representatives have not yet commented on the details of the possible project. The Congo hopes that US investment will help stabilise the economy, create jobs, and reduce the influence of armed groups that control illegal mining.