The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has partnered with U.S.-based KoBold Metals, a mining startup backed by tech billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, to explore and develop critical mineral reserves in a deal that could reshape the country’s mining sector. The framework agreement, signed in Kinshasa on Thursday under President Félix Tshisekedi’s oversight, commits the company to invest over $1 billion in mineral exploration, with a primary focus on the vast Manono lithium deposit—a resource pivotal for global battery production and renewable energy technologies.
KoBold’s immediate plans include deploying artificial intelligence and advanced geospatial tools to tap into Manono, estimated to be among the world’s largest untapped lithium reserves. The mineral’s soaring demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems has turned the site into a strategic asset for international markets. Beyond Manono, the agreement outlines a nationwide search for high-value minerals, including copper and cobalt, with the firm pledging to apply for exploration rights across 1,600 square kilometers of Congolese territory by mid-2025.
A notable element of the collaboration involves digitizing the DRC’s historical geological records, currently archived at Belgium’s Royal Museum for Central Africa. This effort aims to modernize the country’s resource management and streamline future mining projects.
Congolese authorities have lauded the deal as a potential economic catalyst, emphasizing job creation and infrastructure development. “This partnership underscores our commitment to harnessing natural resources for national progress,” a government spokesperson stated. However, the announcement has also reignited debates over foreign involvement in the DRC’s mineral wealth. Critics, including local advocacy groups, warn of risks resembling past exploitation cycles, where multinational firms profited while delivering minimal local benefits.
The DRC holds nearly 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves and significant copper deposits, yet decades of mismanagement and corruption have left many communities impoverished. KoBold, which operates under a $1 billion valuation, has emphasized “ethical extraction” pledges, though specifics on revenue-sharing or community investments remain undisclosed.
As global demand for clean energy minerals surges, the DRC’s latest partnership highlights both the opportunities and tensions inherent in balancing economic growth with equitable resource governance. The success of the venture could set a precedent for how resource-rich nations negotiate with foreign investors amid the energy transition—a dynamic closely watched by industry analysts and human rights observers alike.
