U.S.-backed KoBold Metals has launched a $50 million lithium exploration campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking one of the most ambitious mineral prospecting efforts in the country in recent years. The programme, announced on April 13, 2026, will run through early 2027 and targets the discovery of commercially viable lithium deposits to support global clean energy demand, as reported by Reuters.
The initiative spans 13 exploration licences and includes airborne geophysical surveys across roughly 30,000 square kilometres, alongside drilling and large-scale geochemical sampling. The campaign is centred on the Manono region in Tanganyika province, an area known for some of the world’s highest-grade lithium deposits, positioning it as a strategic asset in the global battery supply chain.
KoBold, backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, is deploying artificial intelligence, airborne sensors, and mobile laboratories to accelerate exploration and improve discovery success rates. Chief Executive Kurt House said the company has already paid over $20 million to the Congolese treasury, making it one of the largest new exploration investors in the country.
The move aligns with broader U.S. efforts to secure critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, which currently dominates global lithium and battery supply chains. As demand for electric vehicles and energy storage rises, KoBold’s investment underscores intensifying geopolitical competition for Africa’s mineral resources, positioning the DRC as a central player in the global energy transition economy.
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