Silicon Valley-backed KoBold Metals deepens footprint in Congo’s mineral belt

Silicon Valley-backed KoBold Metals deepens footprint in Congo’s mineral belt

Mintesinot Nigussie

KoBold Metals, the exploration company backed by US investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has expanded its presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo with an ambitious lithium exploration programme targeting one of the world’s least explored critical minerals regions.

The company said it is deploying artificial intelligence and advanced sensing tools to identify lithium-bearing deposits across the country’s mineral-rich terrain, with early focus on the Manono region, which is known for high-grade lithium pegmatites.

The programme covers 13 exploration licences spanning more than 3,000 square kilometres, with plans to increase the footprint to 5,000 square kilometres by the end of the year. KoBold said its campaign will include 30,000 square kilometres of airborne geophysical surveys, thousands of planned drill holes and more than 30,000 geochemical samples.

The project is supported by more than 50 million US dollars in funding through early 2027. KoBold Metals chief executive Kurt House said the company’s presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo has expanded rapidly over the past year, moving from no local staff or assets to what he described as the largest US investment footprint in the country.

He said the group is now preparing to roll out what it considers its most extensive mineral exploration programme to date. The initiative is expected to play a key role in identifying new lithium resources to support the global transition to electric vehicles and clean energy technologies.

Businesses in mining, battery manufacturing and critical minerals supply chains are closely watching KoBold’s activities in the DRC, as successful discoveries could significantly impact global lithium supply.

Overall, KoBold Metals’ deepening footprint in Congo’s mineral belt highlights the growing interest of Silicon Valley investors in African critical minerals and the increasing use of advanced technology in mineral exploration.