Cobalt Congress Speaker

Richard Robinson

Senior Minerals Advisor, USAID DRC

Since 2023, Richard has supported the U.S. Government and USAID in:

  • Development of a long-term USG DRC Critical Minerals strategy for whole-of-government support and buy-in early in 2024.
  • Management of minerals programs, specifically the Africa Trade Initiative Minerals activity to finance increased exports and investment in responsible critical and strategic minerals throughout the DRC;
  • Private Sector Engagement with DRC, regional and international business;
  • Coordination with Government of DRC and Donor Partners; and
  • Internal USAID and U.S. Government Coordination to support responsible trade of critical minerals

Richard has 20 years of senior level experience in the DRC with a particular focus on managing political and social risk as an executive and adviser in DRC mining projects including as Managing Director of Alphamin Bisie Mining during its development from 2016 to 2020, a mine now producing 4% of the world’s conflict free tin. From 2011 through 2016 Richard served as Extractive Industries Technical Adviser for USAID DRC as the USG and USAID Mission responded to the implementation challenges of the conflict mineral provisions of the Dodd Frank Act. Previously, he also managed corporate social responsibility (CSR) and resettlement for Freeport McMoRan’s Tenke Fungurume Mining project. Richard has designed and led public private partnerships, engaging as many as four multinational mining investors with USAID in the DRC and promoting inclusion of persons with severe disabilities in mainstream employment in the U.S. and Pacific Islands. Since founding RMAC Global, Richard has also worked in DRC, South Africa and Tanzania in political and human rights risk mitigation for international mining companies and to implement the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.