US-backed Mining Guard to Secure DRC’s Critical Mineral Supply Chain

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is set to establish a 20,000-strong paramilitary unit to secure mining operations and mineral transport, in a move that underscores the country’s growing alignment with Western industrial interests.

The new “mining guard,” announced by the Inspection Générale des Mines, will oversee the protection of extraction sites and the transport of key resources such as cobalt and copper—minerals essential to global clean energy and technology supply chains.

The initiative is backed by a $100 million programme linked to strategic partnerships with the United States and the United Arab Emirates, although specific funding details have not been disclosed.

The creation of the force follows a broader geopolitical shift, as the DRC strengthens ties with Washington amid intensifying global competition for critical minerals. In parallel, a December agreement between the DRC and Rwanda aims to stabilise eastern regions affected by the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, with economic cooperation forming part of the deal.

According to the IGM, the mining guard will be deployed progressively across the country’s 22 mining provinces, with a first contingent expected by December 2026. Recruitment will be conducted locally, supported by an intensive six-month training programme.

The force is tasked with securing the entire mineral value chain, from extraction to transport, as authorities seek to curb illegal activities, improve traceability, and protect strategic assets.

The development also builds on an existing security presence in the sector. Paramilitary contractors linked to Erik Prince are already operating in the country, supporting national forces in resource-rich areas.

As the DRC positions itself at the centre of global supply chains for energy transition minerals, the move highlights the increasing overlap between resource security, geopolitics, and foreign investment in Africa’s mining sector.

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