How China is tightening its grip on critical minerals with $16 billion mining push in Africa amid US rivalry

How China is tightening its grip on critical minerals with $16 billion mining push in Africa amid US rivalry China’s investment in Africa’s critical minerals sector has surged to $16.3 billion, a figure that now dwarfs many Western initiatives aimed at securing supply chains for batteries, semiconductors and renewable‑energy technologies. The funding is spread across processing plants, smelting facilities and downstream manufacturing hubs, linking raw ore extraction to finished products. Analysts say the strategy reflects Beijing’s ambition to dominate the entire value chain, from mine to market, and to reduce dependence on rivals, particularly the United States, which has recently ramped up its own mineral‑security programmes..

The African continent holds an estimated 30 percent of the world’s cobalt, a crucial component of lithium‑ion batteries, and large portions of rare‑earth elements, nickel and lithium. Chinese state‑owned enterprises and private firms have signed agreements with governments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, among others. In the DRC, China’s Zijin Mining has secured a 30‑year contract to operate the Kamoa‑Kakula copper‑cobalt project, while a joint venture with the Congolese government aims to build a new refinery capable of processing 100 000 tonnes of cobalt annually..

In Zambia, the partnership between China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group and the Zambian Ministry of Mines has resulted in the construction of a $2.5 billion copper‑smelting complex near Kitwe. The facility is designed to handle both copper concentrate and cobalt by‑products, effectively cutting out the need for export of raw ore to distant markets. Similarly, Tanzania’s recent agreement with a consortium led by China’s Jinchuan Group includes the development of a nickel‑processing plant that will transform locally mined laterite into high‑purity nickel suitable for battery production..

Mozambique, long known for its coal reserves, is now emerging as a hub for lithium extraction. Chinese firm CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, has invested in a pilot lithium‑brine project in the Tete province, with plans to scale up to a 30 000‑tonne annual output. The venture is complemented by a $1 billion battery‑cell manufacturing facility slated for construction in the same region, signalling a shift from mere resource extraction to value‑added production on African soil..

The United States, wary of Beijing’s expanding footprint, has launched the “Critical Mineral Defense Act” and pledged $10 billion through the Department of Energy to support mining and processing projects in friendly nations. Yet, critics argue that the U.S. response remains fragmented, with funding dispersed across a dozen partner countries, while China concentrates its capital in a few strategically chosen African states..

This asymmetry, they say, gives Beijing a decisive advantage in securing long‑term access to the minerals that power electric vehicles and renewable‑energy infrastructure. Chinese diplomatic outreach has reinforced the economic ties. High‑level delegations, often led by senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have visited African capitals to sign memoranda of understanding that include technology transfer, training programmes and joint research initiatives..

These agreements frequently contain clauses on “mutual benefit” and “shared prosperity,” framing the partnerships as alternatives to the “zero‑sum” competition portrayed by Western narratives. Local reactions in Africa are mixed. Governments welcome the influx of capital and the promise of job creation, particularly in regions where unemployment rates exceed 20 percent..

In the DRC, President Félix Tshisekedi hailed the Chinese investments as “a catalyst for industrialisation and economic independence.” However, civil‑society groups and some opposition parties have raised concerns about environmental standards, labour rights and the potential for debt dependency on foreign lenders. Environmental watchdogs point to the legacy of artisanal mining, where mercury and other pollutants have contaminated water sources. While Chinese firms claim to adhere to “green mining” protocols, independent assessments have revealed gaps in waste‑water treatment and reclamation plans..

In Zambia, for instance, the new smelter has been criticised for its projected carbon emissions, prompting calls for stricter oversight from both the Zambian regulator and the International Finance Corporation. The strategic dimension of the Chinese push extends beyond raw materials. By establishing processing and manufacturing facilities within Africa, Beijing reduces transportation costs and mitigates risks associated with geopolitical tensions, such as sanctions or trade restrictions..

It also positions China to export finished battery components and electronic parts directly from African ports to global markets, bypassing traditional supply routes that pass through Europe or the United States. In response, the United States has sought to forge its own partnerships, notably the “African Mining Partnership” announced in 2023, which aims to provide technical assistance and financing for “responsible” mining projects. Yet, the initiative has struggled to attract private‑sector investment at the scale of Chinese state‑backed deals..

Observers note that American firms often require higher transparency standards and shorter contract durations, which can be less appealing to African governments seeking long‑term certainty. The competition over critical minerals is reshaping diplomatic relations across the continent. Countries like Ghana and Senegal, traditionally aligned with Western donors, are now entertaining Chinese proposals that promise quicker delivery of infrastructure, such as railways and power grids, needed to support mining operations..

This realignment threatens to alter the balance of influence that Western powers have held since the post‑colonial era, ushering in a new multipolar landscape where resource security drives foreign policy. Looking ahead, analysts predict that China will continue to deepen its integration into Africa’s mineral supply chain,.