DRC Validates Draft National Strategy on Critical Minerals and Metals

Multi-Stakeholder Validation Process

To validate the draft strategy, the Ministry of Mines working in partnership with Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) convened a national validation workshop in Lubumbashi. The workshop brought together representatives from government institutions, the private sector, research organisations, civil society, and development partners.

Participants reviewed the strategic vision, assessed proposed policy instruments, examined pathways for value addition and industrial development, and discussed governance, ESG integration, and stakeholder ownership of the strategy.

Aligning with Continental Frameworks

Discussions were anchored in key African policy frameworks, particularly the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and the African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS). The AMV provides a continental response to Africa’s extractive paradox, advocating for transparent, equitable, and development-oriented mineral governance. Its implementation tools including the Country Mining Vision and the Africa Minerals Governance Framework emphasise strong economic linkages and local industrial development.

The AGMS complements the AMV by positioning green minerals as strategic inputs for Africa’s industrialisation, energy transition, and electrification agendas. Participants highlighted the importance of aligning national strategies with these continental frameworks to ensure coherence, credibility, and long-term impact.

Key Messages from the Discussions

A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the importance of national ownership and sovereignty over mineral resources. Participants stressed that sustainable industrialisation must be underpinned by domestic investment, skills development, institutional coordination, and regional cooperation. External investment was recognised as important, but only when aligned with national priorities and development objectives.

The need for a unified national vision on critical minerals was highlighted as essential to attracting responsible investment and strengthening policy implementation.

Overview of the Draft Strategy

Presenting the draft strategy, Dr Claude Kabemba outlined its core ambition: to transform the DRC from a predominantly raw mineral exporter into a sovereign, industrialised producer integrated into regional and global value chains. The strategy prioritises value addition, low-carbon mineral processing powered by renewable energy, and downstream industrial development.

Critical minerals are defined from a national development perspective and aligned with the AMV, AGMS, and United Nations principles. Priority minerals identified include copper, cobalt, germanium, tantalum, niobium, tin, tungsten, and zinc reflecting their strategic importance for industrialisation, electrification, and technological advancement.

Governance, ESG, and ASM

The workshop reaffirmed that mining governance must place people and communities at the centre. Participants recognised the legitimate role of regulated artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) within the legal framework, while stressing that illegal mining practices undermine state revenue, environmental protection, and human rights.

Strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards were identified as critical for protecting communities, ensuring market access, and promoting sustainable development outcomes.

Looking Ahead

The validation workshop demonstrated broad stakeholder support for a developmental, sovereign, and green pathway for the DRC’s mineral sector. Participants emphasised that mineral wealth must translate into tangible improvements in livelihoods, employment, skills development, energy access, and regional leadership.

The Ministry of Mines will integrate inputs from the workshop to finalise the National Strategy on Critical and Strategic Minerals and Metals. Its successful implementation will depend on sustained political commitment, coordinated institutional action, and partnerships grounded in equity, accountability, and shared value.