DR Congo launches $180 million mineral mapping project

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has launched a $180 million geological mapping project to modernize its mineral data and assert greater state control over its natural resources. The initiative aims to replace outdated colonial-era records with high-resolution airborne geophysics and advanced analytics to identify and quantify reserves of critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, lithium, and coltan.

Supported by technical and financial assistance from the United States and France, the project includes a contract with Spain’s Xcalibur to survey over 700,000 square kilometers. Raoul Wazenga Vitima, Director General of the National Geological Survey of Congo (SGNC), stated that the resulting data constitutes a ‘strategic asset of the Congolese state.’

The government plans to establish a national geological databank, expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026. This databank will utilize a tiered access system where basic information is free, but sensitive datasets will require fees. This move is intended to protect national interests and provide more reliable data for investors during the global energy transition.