HUSTON, December 5th (Argus) - The Congolese state-owned mining company Gécamines and the Swiss commodity trading company Mercuria have established a joint venture to promote the commercialization of copper, cobalt and other key minerals produced by Gécamines. Mercuria plans to provide operational support.
This partnership aims to enhance Gécamines' position in the global value chain by expanding market access and ensuring competitive pricing for metal production. The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) also plans to support the joint venture. The institution released a letter of intent on Friday to support this partnership through a proposed investment. This investment will give US end-users priority purchase rights for key minerals produced by Gécamines - including copper, cobalt, gallium and germanium. Before announcing the joint venture and the DFC's letter of intent, US President Donald Trump received Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington on Thursday and signed a peace agreement aimed at laying the foundation for "stability and strengthening regional cooperation".
