Finance
Glencore in talks to sell 40% stake in DRC mines to US-backed consortium
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 3, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 3, 2026
Quick Summary
Glencore is selling a 40% stake in its Congo copper and cobalt mines to Orion Resource Partners for $9 billion, marking a significant divestment in the region.
Glencore Negotiates Sale of 40% Stake in DRC Mines to US Consortium
Overview of Glencore's Stake Sale
LONDON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Glencore is in talks to sell a 40% stake in its copper and cobalt operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a U.S.-backed consortium in a deal valuing the assets at about $9 billion including debt, it said on Tuesday.
Details of the Orion Consortium
The Orion Critical Mineral Consortium (Orion CMC), led by private equity fund Orion Resource Partners and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, is seeking a combined 40% stake in Glencore's Mutanda Mining and Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) projects, the companies said.
Strategic Importance of DRC Minerals
Mutanda and KCC are major producers of cobalt and copper used in electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.
Market Implications and Future Prospects
The potential stake sale comes as Rio Tinto is in early talks to buy the Swiss miner and trader in what could create the world's largest mining company with a combined market value of more than $200 billion.
Rio has until February 5 to either announce a firm intention to make an offer or walk away, though the parties could request an extension.
Copper producers increasingly want to share the risk and costs of projects and have been looking for partners. The sector has also seen a jump in mergers and acquisitions.
The Glencore-Orion CMC talks underscore Washington's growing push to secure access to critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements that are vital for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defence technologies. U.S. supply chains remain heavily dependent on imports and vulnerable to geopolitical risks, particularly due to China's dominance in mineral extraction and processing.
Africa, home to vast untapped reserves, has become a focal point in this strategic competition, with the DRC becoming a key area. Washington and Kinshasa signed an agreement in 2025 on a critical-minerals partnership aimed at deepening cooperation in resource development, infrastructure and economic security.
(Reporting by Clara Denina, Raechel Thankam Job; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Key Takeaways
- •Glencore plans to sell a 40% stake in its Congo mines.
- •The sale is to an investment group led by Orion Resource Partners.
- •The deal is valued at approximately $9 billion.
- •The agreement is currently non-binding.
- •The mines are located in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Frequently Asked Questions about Glencore in talks to sell 40% stake in DRC mines to US-backed consortium
1What is a stake in a company?
A stake in a company refers to the ownership interest that an individual or entity holds in that company, typically represented by shares of stock.
2What are copper and cobalt mines?
Copper and cobalt mines are mining operations that extract copper and cobalt, two essential metals used in various industries, including electronics and batteries.
3What is enterprise value?
Enterprise value is a measure of a company's total value, often used as a comprehensive alternative to market capitalization, calculated as market cap plus debt, minus cash and cash equivalents.
