The Democratic Republic of Congo is investing $180 million in a nationwide effort to modernize geological mapping and build a national database of its mineral resources. Kinshasa wants to gain a clearer picture of its mineral wealth while putting geological information under greater state control. Launched in January under a three-year contract with Spain-based Xcalibur, a global leader in geodata mapping, the program will use airborne surveys, digitized historical records and advanced analytics to map more than 700,000 square kilometers. US, French and South African institutions are also involved, including KoBold Metals, France’s Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM), and the Council for Geoscience.
Despite its vast mineral wealth, only about 20% of the DRC has been systematically explored. The country holds the world’s largest cobalt reserves and major deposits of copper, lithium, tantalum and gold, leaving significant areas with limited modern geological data. Much of the information gathered through the new program will go into a national geological databank, which the government expects to make fully operational by the end of 2026. Basic geological information will be available free of charge, while access to more sensitive datasets will require payment and may be assessed against the country’s strategic interests.
That distinction is central to Kinshasa’s strategy. Geological data generated through exploration will be treated as a strategic national asset, giving the Congolese state greater control over information that can determine where investors search for deposits and how future mining projects are negotiated.
Better geological information should also help investors identify potential deposits and reduce the risks and costs associated with exploration. At the same time, revenue from certain data products is expected to help finance further geological exploration. The move comes as competition for the DRC’s critical minerals intensifies, particularly between the United States and China. Kinshasa says investors will face the same access rules regardless of nationality, while the state retains control over its geological intelligence.
The $180 million program therefore goes beyond updating geological maps. It is an effort to turn knowledge of the DRC’s mineral wealth into a state-controlled economic asset and strengthen the government’s position in attracting and negotiating future mining investment.
