DRC Bolsters Mine Security with 3,000 Guards and US-UAE Support

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially announced the creation of a new paramilitary unit known as the “mining guard” to protect its vast mineral resources and strengthen control over the mining sector. The initiative, unveiled on April 27, 2026, is backed by an initial $100 million in funding from the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

The new force is intended to combat smuggling, improve security, and stabilize supply chains for key minerals such as cobalt, copper, lithium, and gold. Congo holds some of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals used in batteries, electronics, and clean energy technologies.

Under the first phase of the plan, the General Inspectorate of Mines will deploy an initial group of 3,000 armed recruits in December 2026 after six months of military-led training. Authorities say the long-term goal is to expand the unit to 20,000 personnel by 2028, with deployments across all 22 mining provinces nationwide.

The first guards are expected to be stationed in the mineral-rich Katanga region in southeastern Congo. The area is one of the country’s most important mining zones and contains major deposits of cobalt, copper, lithium, and gold.

According to officials, the mining guard will gradually replace regular police and military personnel currently assigned to protect mining operations. The government says existing security arrangements have often been ineffective or vulnerable to corruption and regulatory violations.

The new unit will be responsible for securing production sites, protecting foreign investments, and escorting mineral shipments from mines to processing facilities and border crossings. It will also help improve traceability systems aimed at reducing illegal trafficking and cutting off revenue streams used by armed rebel groups operating in eastern Congo.

The creation of the force also carries major geopolitical significance. The partnership is seen as part of a wider effort by Washington to secure reliable access to critical minerals and reduce China’s long-standing dominance in Congo’s mining industry.

The announcement follows a minerals partnership signed in 2025, which has already led to increased involvement by American companies such as Virtus Minerals in key Congolese assets.

For Congo, officials hope the mining guard will bring greater order and stronger state control over one of the country’s most valuable economic sectors. For international partners, the move is viewed as an important step in securing strategic mineral supplies needed for the global energy transition.