By Dowell Sichitalwe
As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda announce a new “minerals-for-peace” agreement brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, hope and skepticism collide across Central Africa. Framed as a diplomatic breakthrough, the deal appears far more aligned with American mineral interests than genuine peacebuilding—especially given its silent backing by a select group of U.S. billionaires with stakes in tech and mining.
Massad Boulos, one of Trump’s close allies and a billionaire known for his ventures in car sales rather than extractives, played a key role in the agreement’s orchestration. Others with deeper ties to Silicon Valley’s mineral ambitions stand to benefit as well. For many in the region, this raises an all-too-familiar alarm: is this truly a new chapter, or a repackaged episode of resource exploitation?
Mining’s Historical Shadows
To understand what’s unfolding today, one must look back. During the industrial boom of the late 19th century, explorer Frederick Russell Burnham spotlighted the mineral-rich lands of Southern DRC and Northern Zambia—what came to be known as the African Copperbelt. In an age of electrification, copper became the new gold, and American investors leapt at the opportunity, drawn as much by empire-building as mineral wealth.
Fast-forward to the present, and copper is again ascendant—joined by cobalt as critical inputs in clean energy technologies. But this time, the new “Copper Kings” hail from Silicon Valley, not Montana. With global transitions to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure, Africa’s mineral reserves are back in the global spotlight.
The Lobito Corridor: Connectivity or Control?
One flagship investment is the U.S.-backed Lobito Corridor—a sprawling rail and road initiative connecting mines in Zambia and DRC to Angola’s Atlantic coast. Intended to bypass Chinese-controlled supply chains, the corridor links the Copperbelt to American markets. Yet many local miners remain unconvinced. As Oxfam researchers discovered during a recent field visit, skepticism runs high regarding the corridor’s economic viability—particularly after the Trump administration imposed steep tariffs on copper imports.
Regardless of its strategic soundness, the project illustrates the fierce competition for Africa’s mineral wealth, a contest that rarely centers the interests of workers or host communities. Environmental risks and hazardous working conditions persist, with tragic incidents like acid spills underscoring systemic neglect.
A New Generation of “Responsible” Miners?
Change may be possible. At Zambia’s Mingomba mine—run by KoBold Metals and backed by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Marc Andreessen—a different approach is taking shape. KoBold’s use of artificial intelligence to locate high-yield copper deposits signals a pivot toward tech-infused mining. During Oxfam’s visit, the company emphasized transparency, local engagement, and safety, even administering breathalyzer tests before site entry.
Crucially, Mingomba sits on pre-approved mining land, sparing it from the land tenure disputes that often plague new projects. However, KoBold’s bid to acquire a contested lithium stake in DRC will test its ethical compass and operational integrity in high-risk contexts.
For tech companies entering extractives, reputation matters. Unlike traditional miners selling upstream, firms like KoBold and Tesla face direct consumer scrutiny. Their survival depends not just on profitability but also on responsible sourcing and human rights adherence. Attempts like Elon Musk’s proposal to install webcams to monitor child labor—while well-meaning—can come off as disconnected and impractical without grassroots involvement.
A Cautionary Tale or a Fork in the Road?
Ultimately, Trump’s minerals-for-peace agreement may offer little beyond geopolitical signaling. And for African communities living on top of vital resources, promises of prosperity often carry historical baggage. If this “new chapter” echoes past exploitations, the resurgence of American interest could bring more peril than progress.
That said, companies willing to listen, engage transparently, and embed community-first policies may write a better future. But they will need more than investor enthusiasm—they’ll need the courage to challenge old paradigms and center human dignity within the battery mineral boom.