Lusaka, Zambia – The United States is stepping up efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains by supporting the expansion of copper and cobalt production in Zambia, a move aimed at reducing global reliance on China.
On Thursday, the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a US$1.4 million grant to Metalex Africa, a subsidiary of Texas-based Metalex Commodities, to fund a feasibility study for the expansion of its Kazozu mine in Zambia’s North-Western Province.
The study will assess the potential to produce an additional 25,000 metric tonnes of copper and cobalt concentrates annually, strengthening Zambia’s role as a critical mineral supplier.
Linking Zambia to US Supply Chains
The USTDA said the project will not only create opportunities for US companies to provide equipment, materials, and expertise but also establish a direct link between Metalex and American buyers.
“USTDA’s partnership with Metalex will help ensure that US industries can reliably access the inputs they need to remain secure, competitive, and prepared to meet the challenges of the future,” said Acting Director Thomas R. Hardy.
He added that leveraging US technology will help expand Zambia’s mining sector while promoting responsible and sustainable resource development.
Metalex CEO Ayo Sopitan hailed the grant as a milestone, noting it will guide project phases and confirm the feasibility of scaling up operations. The Kazozu venture is a joint project with Zambian partner Terra Metals.
A Strategic Alternative to China
The investment forms part of Washington’s wider push to strengthen the Lobito Corridor—a 1,700-kilometre rail and trade network linking Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito with the DRC’s mining hub of Kolwezi, and soon to Zambia’s Copperbelt.
The corridor is being promoted as a strategic alternative to China’s infrastructure and mining footprint in Africa, where Beijing currently dominates mineral processing and refining capacity.
China has continued to tighten its grip on the region, most recently through JCHX Mining’s acquisition of an 80% stake in Zambia’s Lubambe copper mine.
US Expands Footprint in African Mining
Washington is committing significant resources to counterbalance Beijing’s influence:
- The US International Development Finance Corporation has pledged $550 million for railway and port upgrades.
- The Millennium Challenge Corporation is funding rural road and agriculture programs in Zambia.
- KoBold Metals, backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, is advancing its Mingomba copper-cobalt project, set to become a key anchor for the Lobito rail corridor.
Together, these efforts highlight the US strategy to diversify global mineral supply chains, reduce dependence on China, and reinforce the resilience of American industry in the face of growing global demand for copper and cobalt.
