According to interviews with four sources by Reuters on the 15th, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has caused nearly 800 deaths. The situation is currently affecting the operations of several local companies and disrupting negotiations related to important mineral cooperation projects supported by the United States.
A mining company in Congo that receives support from the United States stated that isolation and related control measures have not directly affected the mining operations that are currently carried out under the 'US-Congo Strategic Partnership Agreement'. However, a diplomat and two consultants who provide advice for American investments revealed that these epidemic prevention measures have slowed down the negotiations related to this cooperation.
The mining company stated that the pandemic has also brought logistics challenges: many suppliers, consultants, and investors have delayed their travel to Congo, and the difficulty of cross-border movement has significantly increased.
The Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and the second-largest supplier of copper. It also possesses substantial reserves of minerals such as germanium, lithium, and tantalum. Therefore, it serves as a critical source for key minerals needed for energy transformation.
Last week, the United States urged its citizens not to travel to Congo "for any reason," and warned that travelers who have come into contact with the virus may need to undergo self-funded isolation for up to 21 days.
