The Democratic Republic of Congo has named new leadership for its state-owned mining company Gecamines, with Deogratias Ngele Masudi appointed as chair and Baraka Kabemba taking over as chief executive, the government announced on Monday.

Reuters reports that the changes also involve former Gecamines chair Guy Robert Lukama, who will now lead the Kilo‑Moto Gold Mining Company, one of the country’s oldest state-run gold producers. No replacement has been announced for ex-CEO Placide Nkala Basadilua.

The reshuffle comes as Congo negotiates with the United States over a minerals cooperation pact, aimed at increasing Western investment in the country’s extensive mineral sector alongside security guarantees. It was not immediately clear whether the appointments are connected to these discussions.

State television broadcast the official announcement, but Reuters notes that neither Masudi nor Kabemba were immediately available for comment.