Trump aides urged sale of Congo lithium claim to a US company

Published: Feb 12, 2026 19:00

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According to people familiar with the matter, in January 2026 officials from the White House and the U.S. State Department urged Australia’s AVZ Minerals Ltd. to sell its interest in the Manono lithium deposit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to a U.S. company. The move is seen as part of Washington’s effort to strengthen control over critical-minerals supply chains. The only U.S. company publicly known to have expressed interest is KoBold Metals, though its offer is considered too low and no agreement has been reached. Meanwhile, the Congolese government revoked AVZ’s mining permit and granted part of the concession to China’s Zijin Mining Group, further complicating ownership of the project. AVZ is currently seeking to restore its rights through international arbitration.

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