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The United States government has announced fresh sanctions aimed at stopping the trade in conflict minerals from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, American authorities said they were targeting a militia group, a Congolese mining cooperative, and two Hong Kong-based exporters for their role in illegal mining activities and armed violence in the coltan-rich Rubaya region.
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the armed group sanctioned is PARECO-FF, officially known as Coalition des Patriotes Résistants Congolais – Forces de Frappe. This militia, which has been linked to the Congolese military, took control of mining areas in Rubaya between 2022 and early 2024. Rubaya is one of the most important mining zones in the world, producing about 15% of global coltan supply. Coltan is processed into tantalum, a critical mineral used in electronics, aerospace equipment, and medical devices.
The Treasury also blacklisted the Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC) for buying minerals from zones controlled by PARECO-FF. Two Hong Kong-based exporters with Chinese links—East Rise Corporation Limited and Star Dragon Corporation Limited—were also sanctioned for trading in the illicit minerals. The sanctions freeze any assets these companies have in the U.S. and ban American individuals or companies from doing business with them.
A senior U.S. official explained that the move is meant to make illegal mineral trading less profitable, while encouraging legitimate mining activities that can attract foreign investment and support peace efforts in the DRC. The United States wants companies to have confidence that the minerals they buy are sourced from lawful and ethical operations.
This decision comes as the DRC is trying to maintain a fragile peace with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has been accused of serious human rights abuses and already faces U.S. and United Nations sanctions. While M23 was not included in the latest sanctions, analysts say Washington may be trying not to derail ongoing peace talks in Doha between the DRC government and the rebel group. Congo security expert Jason Stearns observed that targeting PARECO-FF rather than M23 could be a calculated choice to keep the negotiations on track.
Eastern DRC has been plagued by violence for decades, with minerals such as coltan, cobalt, gold, copper, and lithium often funding armed groups. These “conflict minerals” are regularly smuggled through Rwanda and other neighbouring countries before entering global markets. The illegal trade has been linked to corruption, the weakening of state institutions, and widespread human rights violations.
In July 2025, the U.S. helped broker a peace deal between DRC and Rwanda, raising hopes for stability. Western governments believe that a lasting peace could bring billions of dollars in investment to the country, especially in mining, if there is trust in the legality and transparency of supply chains. However, the security situation remains unstable, as rival militias fight for control of mining routes, undermining government authority.
The new sanctions highlight increasing global attention on the ethics of mineral sourcing. They also serve as a warning to companies across Africa and beyond to strengthen compliance and traceability measures in their supply chains. For Nigeria and other mineral-producing nations, the DRC case is a reminder that poor governance and unchecked armed activity in mining areas can threaten both peace and economic growth.
The U.S. Treasury said it will continue working with allies, regional governments, and international organisations to promote responsible mineral trade and to block funding sources for groups involved in conflict. The long-term goal is to ensure that mining in Africa becomes a source of shared prosperity rather than a driver of instability.
