Vanity Fair's piece on Dan Gertler & the cobalt boom highlights the complex history of DRC mining and the critical role of critical minerals in clean energy. It raises valid points about governance & investment in high-stakes jurisdictions. Over the coming days, we'll unpack key

Claim: Gertler 'kicked off' the global cobalt spree through shady early deals. Verdict: FAKE NEWS. Real story: His 2000 $20M diamond investment revived post-conflict artisanal mining. After more investments attracted global capital to DRC resources, helping make cobalt sites

Claim: US sanctions prove Gertler is corrupt with proven wrongdoing. Verdict: FAKE NEWS. Real story: Sanctions were imposed in 2017 over 'opaque and corrupt' mining/oil deals—True on the sanctions & Treasury wording existing. But no criminal convictions or prosecutions;

Claim: Gertler was instrumental in brokering a 2003 peace deal between DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda. Verdict: TRUE. Appointed special envoy by President Joseph Kabila, Gertler played a key role in negotiations that advanced regional stability & troop withdrawals. Bloomberg reported

Claim: Investments brought no benefit or jobs to Congo. Verdict: FAKE NEWS. Real story: Affiliates attracted >$10B in equity/foreign investment & created ~12,000 direct/indirect jobs for Congolese workers. €8.5B total invested, sustained economic boost, employment & skills in

Claim: Gertler still controls major mining assets in DRC. Verdict: Fake news. Real story: In 2022, transferred all remaining interests (mining/oil rights) to DRC gov't in a settlement valued at over $2B in returned assets. Full operational exit; legacy royalties are standard

Claim: Ongoing royalties (e.g., Glencore-linked) prove corruption & secret control. Verdict: FAKE NEWS. Real story: Royalties exist from past legitimate deals. These are pre-sanctions commercial arrangements under law, with no active control post-2022 exit.

Claim: Gertler's early role had no positive impact on cobalt development. Verdict: FAKE NEWS. Real story: Dan and his networks & investments helped attract investors to key sites (e.g., Kamoto Copper) during cobalt's rise for EV batteries, making resources economically viable &