• Asia Mineral Limited signs agreement with Kerith Ressources to establish Kivuvu Kongo Mines in Kongo Central.

• DRC aims to reduce China’s 80% dominance over its mining sector by attracting new international partners.

• The Kivuvu project targets 2 million tonnes of annual manganese production and 2,500 jobs.

Japan’s Asia Mineral Limited has signed a partnership agreement with Congolese company Kerith Ressources to launch Kivuvu Kongo Mines, a new manganese mining venture in Kongo Central province. The agreement, formalized on June 28, reflects the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) growing determination to diversify its mining partnerships beyond traditional Chinese dominance.

#RDCJapon #Osaka
28 juin 2025 | Forum d’affaires RDC–Japon : la Première Ministre Judith Suminwa Tuluka parraine la signature d’un partenariat stratégique pour l’exploitation du manganèse dans le Kongo Central.

• Joint-venture entre Kerith Resources (RDC) et Asia Mineral… pic.twitter.com/bXu9C1FI6F

— Primature de la République Démocratique du Congo (@PrimatureRDC) June 28, 2025

Marcellin Paluku, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Mines, highlighted that 80% of Congolese mines currently operate in partnership with Chinese firms—a concentration he considers a “risk” for the national economy. Paluku’s comments echo Kinshasa’s ambition to attract new partners to secure a more balanced and resilient mining sector.

The partnership with Asia Mineral Limited marks a concrete step toward this goal. In May, Congolese authorities had already described the project as a “structuring example” of their diversification strategy, aiming not only to broaden the range of minerals and mining regions but also to encourage the development of value-added products.

Japan’s interest in the DRC’s mineral wealth is part of a broader trend. In August 2023, Tokyo announced a $1 billion commitment to finance the exploration of critical minerals in the country, positioning Japanese companies to tap into one of Africa’s richest mining regions.

The Kivuvu Kongo Mines project targets an annual production capacity of 2 million tonnes of manganese, a key mineral for battery manufacturing. According to initial estimates, the mine’s development is expected to create around 2,500 direct and indirect jobs in the region, supporting local economic growth. However, the government and its partners have not yet released specific details regarding the investment amount or the timeline for the project’s completion.

While Japan’s involvement underscores Kinshasa’s diversification efforts, it is far from the DRC’s only move. Authorities are also engaging with other international partners. India and the United Arab Emirates are strengthening ties with the country, as evidenced by International Resources Holding’s (IRH) recent $367 million deal to acquire a 56% stake in Alphamin, operator of Bisie, the DRC’s largest tin mine.

Meanwhile, the United States is negotiating a “Minerals for Security” agreement to deepen its engagement.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou