Liberia has replaced its mining minister just as Washington deepens talks with the West African country on securing new sources of critical minerals.

President Joseph Boakai appointed R Matenokay Tingban, who previously served under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to lead the ministry at the heart of the country’s mining ambitions.

The shake-up comes weeks after United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Liberian officials in Washington to discuss expanding US participation in mining projects. Liberia has recently identified lithium, cobalt, manganese, and rare earth deposits, minerals central to US plans to diversify electric vehicle and battery supply chains away from China.

Tingban’s appointment signals Monrovia’s push for stronger governance and investor confidence under Boakai’s “ARREST Agenda” – a five-year plan focused on boosting Liberia’s economy and development.

For Washington, the reshuffle could pave the way for a more reliable partner as the US seeks to secure Africa’s emerging critical-mineral frontier.