Congo Ebola outbreak disrupts US-backed minerals talks

A worsening Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is disrupting travel and delaying meetings tied to a U.S.-backed critical minerals partnership aimed at loosening China's hold on Congo's vast copper and cobalt resources, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.



The outbreak has made travel to and from Congo increasingly difficult, with quarantine requirements and health concerns forcing officials and investors to postpone visits, a diplomat and two consultants advising on U.S. investments said.



Congo is the world's top cobalt producer and second-largest copper supplier, with significant deposits of germanium, lithium and tantalum, making it a key source of energy-transition minerals and a focus of global competition.



The United States and China have separately expanded minerals partnerships with Kinshasa to boost investment and secure access to its mineral deposits.

The outbreak, declared in mid-May, has infected 2,011 people and killed 754, according to government data.