U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) questioned Jonathan Pratt, a senior official from the Department of State, during a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing about U.S.-Africa partnerships in securing critical mineral supply chains. The discussion focused on reducing reliance on China for mineral processing and addressing human rights concerns related to mining operations in Africa.
Barrasso noted that China controls a large portion of the world’s critical minerals processing capacity and holds significant influence over Africa’s mining sector. He highlighted recent developments in Wyoming, mentioning the opening of the Brook Mine, which is the first rare earth mine to open in the United States in 70 years. According to Barrasso, this mine will produce materials essential for defense and advanced technologies.
Barrasso asked Pratt about potential collaborations between the U.S. and African countries to develop supply chains that would reduce dependence on China. He stated: “Ambassador Pratt, so China controls what, 85 percent of the world’s critical minerals processing capacity?
“In fact, China has control over a significant percentage of Africa’s mining sector.
“And they get things there and take them to China for the processing.
“And we’re taking steps here in the United State to break this dependence.
“Earlier this month, the Secretary of Energy was in Wyoming with us.
“The Brook Mine in Wyoming broke ground, it’s the first rare earth mine to open in the U.S. in 70 years.
“This is going to produce rare earths vital for defense and advanced technologies. Critical.
“So how can the U.S. and African countries collaborate, to make sure that we can build some supply chains that challenge China’s dominance? So that never again will we find ourselves dependent on China, or any foreign source.”
Barrasso also raised concerns about China’s strategic investments through initiatives such as Belt and Road and described his observations during visits to Djibouti and Ethiopia where Chinese-funded infrastructure projects are visible near key geopolitical locations like the Gulf of Aden. He said: “It just seems to me that the Chinese Community Party has been really targeting investments, in African countries, in order to expand their political influence, their economic influence, their strategic goals.
“I mean you look at the whole Belt and Road Initiative and different things that they’ve done.
“I was in Djibouti visiting Wyoming National Guard troops.
“You fly in and there’s this base for ships that they’re building right there.
“And this pinch point, the Gulf of Aden, where it comes down to go up into the Red Sea.
“It is a narrow area – the big base there.
“Going into Djibouti, you go through Addis Ababa, big terminal for Chinese – for air supply.
“There’s a project, and the Chairman knows about this, with our time with Senator Inhofe, who spent a lot of time in Ethiopia. Very involved.
“Something called ‘Project Mercy,’ a hospital.
“Baylor medical students would go there to train, and to help, and to learn .
“And a lot of U.S. involvement there, used to be kind of a dirt road, and now it’s a beautiful road with signs, ‘Brought to you by your friends from China.’ They built the road!
“It’s a U.S. active medical center that China seems to try to control.
“So many areas in terms of their effort to try to go with influence – political, economic, strategic.
“So it seems their investments are focused on large projects and natural resources.
“Can you just talk about what risk these Chinese investments in critical minerals pose to us long-term in the United States if we don’t do something to counter it?”
Addressing labor practices connected with mining operations abroad—particularly cobalt production—Barrasso pointed out reports indicating widespread child labor and forced labor conditions at mines controlled or owned by Chinese companies within Congo (D.R.C.). He referenced recent diplomatic efforts involving Rwanda and D.R.C., as well as ongoing concerns over forced labor both abroad and within China’s own borders:
“Well you mentioned the Congo—the D.R.C.—they produce about 80 percent of world’s cobalt.”
“I saw that Secretary of State Rubio was just involved—and President as well—with an agreement between Rwanda & D.R.C.”
“A peace agreement after so many years war.”
“China owns or holds stakes 15 largest copper/cobalt mines Congo.”
“In 2023 over half D.R.C mine workers reported children working working sites.”
“You know four out five cobalt mine workers reported forced labor conditions.”
“China itself has well-documented history forced labor Uyghurs what has gone there.”
“What role should we be playing terms investment terms diplomatic efforts combating this forced labor linked these supply chains?”
“And what’s best strategy think eliminate practice forced labor going on there?”
The hearing highlighted ongoing policy discussions regarding American efforts both domestically—such as reopening rare earth mining—and internationally—to counteract Chinese influence while promoting ethical standards within global mineral supply chains.
