KoBold Metals, the U.S.-based mining company backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, is set to acquire nearly 17,000 mining concessions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of a sweeping exploration drive.
The company applies advanced artificial intelligence and data-driven methods to locate deposits of critical minerals essential for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
On July 17, 2025, KoBold reached an agreement in principle with the Congolese government, signed in a ceremony attended by President Félix Tshisekedi. To accelerate the project, KoBold, the National Geological Survey of Congo (SGNC), and the Mining Registry (CAMI) followed up with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 25.
The MoU outlines plans to digitize historic geological archives held at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) in Brussels, along with CAMI’s own records, to improve data access for exploration.
At the center of KoBold’s plans is the Manono lithium deposit in Tanganyika province—one of the world’s largest undeveloped reserves. The company has pledged more than $1 billion in investment, promising job creation for Congolese communities while channeling lithium exports to international markets.
KoBold is now pursuing an exploration permit, which requires a cadastral review and draft decree before receiving final approval from the Minister of Mines.
Still, CAMI Director General Popol Mabolia cautioned on August 7 that the process could take up to 60 days, stressing that no final decision has yet been made.
