DR Congo boosts US copper sales fivefold to 500,000 tonnes

On 2026-04-16, DR Congo state miner Gécamines expanded a state-backed marketing arrangement to raise planned copper sales to the United States to 500,000 tonnes, five times the initial January commitment. The deal is being marketed through a joint venture with Mercuria Energy Group and backed by the US International Development Finance Corporation. It is aimed at direct commercialization of DRC copper output and critical mineral supply-chain competition.