DR Congo Signs Mining Exploration Deal with US KoBold Metals

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has signed a preliminary mining exploration agreement with US-based KoBold Metals, marking a significant step in deepening American investment in the DRC's critical minerals sector. The deal, signed in the presence of President Félix Tshisekedi, involves digitizing the country's geological data and applying advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to mineral exploration, with a focus on lithium projects in Manono, Tanganyika Province. KoBold Metals, supported by investors such as Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, plans to hire and train local Congolese workers and contribute to infrastructure development in host communities. This agreement aligns with broader US-Congo initiatives aimed at reducing Chinese dominance in critical minerals and follows a recent US-brokered peace deal between DRC and Rwanda, which President Trump linked directly to securing US mineral access in the region. While the deal opens the door for further US investments, its finalization depends on resolving legal disputes and obtaining necessary permits. The collaboration reflects growing American geopolitical and economic interests in securing critical minerals essential for the global energy and technology sectors.