Ivanhoe Mines has signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), strengthening a fast-growing strategic partnership aimed at advancing the exploration and development of critical minerals essential to the global energy transition. The agreement was announced by Ivanhoe Mines Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and CEO Marna Cloete, following QIA’s recent US$500 million investment in the company on September 29, 2025.
The signing took place during the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where he met President Félix Tshisekedi to discuss cooperation between the two nations. The MoU builds on this diplomatic momentum, creating a framework for deeper collaboration between Ivanhoe Mines and QIA in securing the minerals required for electrification, renewable energy technologies, and advanced industrial applications.
Robert Friedland described the MoU and the strategic investment as a “strong vote of confidence” in Ivanhoe’s mission to supply the metals needed for global electrification and the expansion of AI and large-scale data centers. He highlighted that the partnership would support Ivanhoe as it pursues new exploration frontiers and sustainably develops next-generation mining projects. QIA CEO Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi echoed this sentiment, noting that the agreement reflects Qatar’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with leading global suppliers of critical minerals.
Under the MoU, QIA has expressed clear support for Ivanhoe’s ongoing and new growth initiatives, including the advancement of the Western Forelands exploration project in the DRC, particularly the high-potential Makoko District. The two parties will also work together to identify additional partnerships across regions of shared strategic interest, exploring opportunities in exploration, development, financing, and investment.
The collaboration framework extends to key value-chain activities. These include leveraging QIA’s global financial network to secure preferential project financing, exploring potential joint mergers and acquisitions, and coordinating on critical infrastructure such as logistics, power, and water systems. The MoU also opens avenues for joint efforts in downstream processing—such as smelting and refining capacity—to strengthen supply chain resilience for critical minerals in Africa and beyond.
The growing alliance between Ivanhoe Mines and QIA positions both partners as influential players in shaping the future supply of copper, nickel, and other transition minerals, aligning with global priorities for clean energy, infrastructure development, and technological innovation.
