Senators Tim Sheehy and Chris Coons introduced the China-Africa Mining Transparency Act of 2026 on May 1, aiming to expose forced labor, child labor, and environmental abuses linked to Chinese mining operations in Africa. The legislation seeks to address concerns about the United States’ reliance on critical minerals sourced from supply chains that may involve unethical practices.
The proposed bill is intended to improve accountability in mineral sourcing for national security and economic stability. “As we restore American energy dominance and onshore critical mineral production, it is imperative that we expose the reality behind China’s grip on critical minerals: forced labor, child exploitation, and environmental destruction. The United States cannot afford to rely on opaque and abusive supply chains for the resources that power our national security, and this bipartisan bill will bring long-overdue transparency and accountability,” said Senator Tim Sheehy.
Senator Chris Coons said, “Chinese companies should not be profiting off forced labor and environmental destruction in other countries. This bipartisan bill will make it harder for them to do just that, protecting children and the environment across the globe and our future here at home.” The legislation directs the Secretary of State—working with other federal agencies—to create a public annual list identifying People’s Republic of China entities involved in mining critical minerals in Africa using forced or child labor or causing environmental harm.
Industry groups have expressed support for these efforts. Mark Compton of the American Exploration & Mining Association said: “When it comes to protecting workers and the environment while responsibly producing the minerals we all need, the American mining industry does it best. Documenting the practices of overseas operations that are owned or controlled by Chinese Communist Party entities highlights the urgent need to secure our supply chains by emphasizing domestic mineral production.” The International Conservation Caucus Foundation also thanked Senators Sheehy and Coons for promoting responsible mining standards globally.
People’s Republic of China firms are among Africa’s largest investors in mining industries such as cobalt extraction. Since 2006, over $39 billion has been invested by China into mines across several African countries including Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Guinea, Zambia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Reports have found evidence of wage withholding, physical violence against workers at Chinese-owned mines in DRC as well as a significant risk for child labor use within both large-scale industrial sites (LSM) and artisanal small-scale mines (ASM). In February 2025 a tailings dam failure involving a Chinese firm led to approximately 50 million liters of waste entering Zambia’s Kafue River.
According to the official website, Sheehy co-founded the Montana Firefighters Fund supporting families affected by wildland firefighting incidents; he served as a Navy SEAL officer leading combat deployments; earned honors such as Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart; graduated from United States Naval Academy where he participated in varsity crew; serves on Senate committees including Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs; Commerce Science & Transportation; alongside his wife—a former Marine Corps officer—they raise four children in Montana.
