DRC Harnesses Advanced Technology to Transform Mining, Boost Production and Safety
DRC Adopts Advanced Technologies in Mining to Enhance Production, Safety, and Mineral Exploration
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies to streamline mineral exploration, boost production, and improve worker safety.
In December 2025, the country signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the United States, under which American companies will provide technical assistance, funding, and technology to optimize the mining value chain.
With an estimated $24 trillion in mineral reserves—90% of which remain undeveloped—technology will be crucial in cementing the DRC’s role as a global supplier of critical minerals.
In addition to the U.S. partnership, the DRC has entered agreements with international firms to accelerate technology deployment across the mining sector. Japanese technology company Solafune has been selected to integrate an AI-based geo-mapping solution into the nationwide mineral mapping program. The state agency, Mining Cadaster, also announced the rollout of AI-enabled drones to enhance monitoring and oversight of mining activities.
The DRC is collaborating with U.S. startup KoBold Metals to implement data-driven exploration projects across lithium, copper, and cobalt sites, including the Manono Lithium Project.
KoBold will digitize the country’s historical geological archives, providing better access to critical data and supporting project development with international partners. These initiatives aim to identify the location, quantity, and quality of mineral deposits, enabling faster and more targeted resource exploitation to drive GDP growth.
Technology is also being used to curb illicit mineral trading. The DRC launched E-Trace, a digital mineral traceability platform designed to promote responsible and sustainable mining, track mineral flows, and integrate proceeds into the formal economy.
Worker safety remains central to sustainable growth, with companies deploying AI-enabled solutions. For example, Glencore is using Sandvik’s proximity detection and collision-avoidance technology to improve safety in underground operations.
With these initiatives, the DRC is poised to become a global model for tech-enabled, sustainable, and efficient mineral production, attracting investment and driving long-term economic growth.
