JOHANNESBURG — The global race for control of critical minerals intensified this week after commodities giant Glencore agreed to sell a 40% stake in two of its major Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) mining operations to a U.S. government-backed consortium, underscoring Washington’s growing urgency to secure supply chains in strategic metals. The non-binding agreement involves Glencore’s Mutanda Mining (Mumi) and Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) — key producers of copper and cobalt, minerals essential for electric vehicles, defence technologies and renewable energy infrastructure. The deal values the two mines at approximately...