Copper from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has entered the United States’ strategic minerals reserve, highlighting the country’s growing commercial opportunities as American manufacturers increasingly turn to Congolese supplies.
Swiss commodity trader Mercuria delivered 12,000 metric tons of Congolese copper to Project Vault during the week of October 12, marking a new destination for the country’s mineral exports. The US initiative aims to maintain access to critical raw materials for civilian industries during supply disruptions.
The shipment comes amid a broader rise in US demand for Congolese copper. In July 2026, US imports from the DRC reached a record 53,290 metric tons, accounting for 23.9% of total copper imports that month, according to Reuters. The United States imported less than 32,000 metric tons from the country throughout 2024.
Competitive pricing opens new markets
The growing interest reflects the commercial advantages of Congolese copper. US industrial buyers have been attracted by prices below those of copper brands approved for delivery through the COMEX futures exchange. Reuters reported that Congolese copper cathodes were sold at discounts of $550 to $800 per ton to cover freight costs, while the COMEX premium over the London Metal Exchange benchmark reached $400 to $600 per ton at points during the summer.
Improving product quality has also helped increase acceptance among US consumers, including copper rod mills and tube manufacturers. Although Congolese brands are not currently approved for COMEX delivery, manufacturers can purchase the metal directly on the physical market if it meets their technical requirements.
For the DRC, these trends create opportunities to expand its customer base and strengthen the commercial value of its mineral resources. China remains a major buyer, but rising US demand offers an additional outlet for Congolese production and could help diversify export destinations.
Strategic demand supports copper exports
The delivery to Project Vault forms part of a broader commitment involving Gécamines, the DRC’s state-owned mining company, and Mercuria. Gécamines plans to supply 100,000 metric tons of copper to the US market in 2026 from its share of production at the Tenke Fungurume mine.
Launched by President Donald Trump’s administration in February 2026, Project Vault is valued at $12 billion, combining a $10 billion loan from the US Export-Import Bank with $2 billion in private funding. The initiative is designed to protect US manufacturers against shortages of critical minerals.
The initial delivery does not by itself signal a fundamental shift in the DRC’s export patterns. However, record US imports, competitive pricing and improving product quality indicate that Congolese copper is gaining traction in a major market, creating new commercial opportunities for the country’s mining sector.
