The Democratic Republic of Congo has deepened its mining cooperation with China through a new deal, as global powers compete for the nation's critical minerals.

• The agreement includes geological data sharing, investment protection, and promotion of local processing of raw materials.
• Key players include the Congolese government, Chinese companies like CMOC, Zijin, and Huayou, and the United States.
• This move comes as the US pushes its own rival minerals pact, aiming to reduce China's dominance in the strategically important mining sector.