American Company KoBold Metals to Survey Mineral Resources in DRC

(3 Minutes Read)

KoBold will also launch a large-scale mineral exploration program nationwide, utilizing advanced technology to identify high-value deposits. The agreement includes plans to digitize the DRC’s geological archives, currently held at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has signed a framework agreement with American mining firm KoBold Metals to explore critical mineral resources across the country. The signing took place recently in Kinshasa, in the presence of President Félix Tshisekedi.

KoBold Metals, backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, plans to invest more than US$1 billion in the DRC’s mining sector. The company’s initial focus is on the Manono lithium deposit, considered one of the world’s largest. Lithium is a key component in batteries and green energy technologies, making it highly strategic for global markets.

 KoBold will also launch a large-scale mineral exploration program nationwide, utilizing advanced technology to identify high-value deposits. The agreement includes plans to digitize the DRC’s geological archives, currently held at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium. KoBold also intends to apply for exploration permits covering more than 1,600 square kilometers before July 31, 2025.

While Congolese officials have hailed the agreement as a major investment opportunity, it has also raised concerns. Critics fear a repeat of the country’s long history of foreign exploitation, where vast natural wealth is extracted with little benefit to local communities.

In a significant step toward ending years of violence, the M23 rebel group and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting fighting in the country’s troubled eastern region.

Read Also:

https://trendsnafrica.com/angola-to-launch-salt-exports-to-drc-following-landmark-trade-agreement/

The agreement was signed on Saturday in Doha, Qatar, and commits both parties to a permanent ceasefire. The deal also includes a pledge to refrain from hate speech and to stop any attempts to seize new territory by force.

The African Union welcomed the announcement, describing it as a “major milestone” in the broader efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.