wire service; frames the deal in the context of China's accelerating African critical-minerals acquisitions ahead of Western domestic-processing mandates; notes US and EU officials were not informed in advance

Reports that the deal follows three other Chinalco-linked African cobalt moves in 2026, adding the Opuwo deposit to a portfolio that already includes DRC and Zambia-linked assets. US officials have flagged Namibia's Opuwo region under the Minerals Security Partnership priority list; the acquisition pre-empts Western engagement there.

“Chinalco's acquisition adds roughly 90,000 tonnes of cobalt equivalent to China's controlled African reserves, a strategic addition ahead of projected EV battery shortfalls.”