Ivanhoe Mines, QIA sign MoU on critical minerals

Executive Summary

• Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) to further explore, develop, and mine critical minerals.
• This MoU follows QIA's $500-million (U.S.) strategic investment in Ivanhoe Mines, announced on September 29, 2025.
• The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration on exploration (specifically the Western Forelands project in the DRC), financing, infrastructure, potential M&A, and downstream smelting/refining capacity.

Key Details

• Parties: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).
• Instrument: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• Context: Follows QIA's $500 million (U.S.) strategic investment in Ivanhoe Mines announced on Sept. 29, 2025.
• Strategic Focus: Collaboration to find, develop, and sustainably supply critical minerals essential for the global energy transition, advanced technologies, electrification, and AI/datacenters.
• Geopolitical Context: Signing coincided with a visit by His Highness The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where he met with President Felix Tshisekedi.
• Specific Project Support: QIA supports Ivanhoe's management in pursuing existing and new growth projects, specifically highlighting exploration work for the Western Forelands exploration project in the DRC, including the Makoko district.
• Collaboration Areas:
  • Exploration & Development: Identifying and exploring future partnerships in geographical areas of interest at all phases of development.
  • Financing: Using QIA's network to provide access to financial institutions for preferential financing of critical minerals projects in Africa and elsewhere.
  • M&A: Collaboration on potential future strategic M&A.
  • Infrastructure: Collaboration on infrastructure related to critical minerals projects, including logistics, power, and water.
  • Downstream: Working together on the development of downstream smelting or refining capacity for critical minerals.

Notable Quotes

• Robert Friedland, Executive Co-Chair, Ivanhoe Mines: "The signing of the MoU, together with the strategic investment by the Qatar Investment Authority, is a strong vote of confidence in Ivanhoe Mines' and our mission to supply the strategic metals that power global electrification and the rise of AI and large-scale datacentres. We are excited to build this long-term, world-class alliance as we unlock new frontiers in our hunt for the next generation of great discoveries, which we will sustainably mine together."
• Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi, CEO, QIA: "This MoU is a testament of QIA's commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading suppliers of critical minerals, supporting global efforts to develop new energy infrastructure and power advanced technologies. We are delighted to be working with Ivanhoe Mines and look forward to further growing our partnership, aimed at generating long-term, sustainable prosperity."