The Congolese mining cadastre handed seven digital exploration permits to U.S. firm Kobold Metals, sealing a partnership meant to draw American investment into the congolese mining sector.
Mining Minister Louis Watum Kabamba said the initiative is aimed at promoting responsible and transparent exploitation while boosting wealth creation for Congo and its people.
“Focus on lithium”
Kobold’s Congo director, Benjamin Katabuka, said the company has committed tens of millions of dollars, part of which has already been paid in licensing fees. The firm pledged to hire and train Congolese workers, ensure fair pay, and help build local infrastructure.
“Our exploration efforts across all seven new licenses will be focused on lithium,” a company official told Reuters.
AI and rare earths
According to data published on the country’s mining registry website, four of the permits are located in Manono territory in Tanganyika province, while three others are located in Malemba Nkulu territory in Haut-Lomami province. The licenses allow for the exploration of around a dozen minerals, including lithium, coltan, and rare earths.
Beyond exploration using artificial intelligence, Kobold also plans to invest in digitizing national geological data with the support of state agencies, and to advance the hard-rock Manono project in Tanganyika province.
In April 2025, President Félix Tshisekedi met in Kinshasa with KoBold Metals CEO Kurt House to discuss the company’s proposals to “digitize geoscientific data, explore Congolese territory in search of undiscovered deposits, and develop world-class mines.”
M&B with Actualité.cd
DRC Grants Digital Mining Permits to Kobold Metals
