Mining in DRC - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

KoBold Metals Files for Exploration Permits with CAMI in the DRC

July 27, 2025July 27, 2025 Constance

KoBold Metals Seeks Over $1 Billion Lithium Investment in DRC Amid Legal Dispute Over Manono Mine Benjamin Katabuka, CEO of KoBold Metals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officially submitted exploration permit applications to the DRC’s Mining Registry last Wednesday. Following the submission, Katabuka held a high-level meeting with Popol Mabolia Yenga, CEO of the Mining Cadastre. This development comes on the heels of a strategic agreement signed on July 17, 2025, between the Congolese government and KoBold Metals, an American start-up leveraging artificial intelligence to locate and extract critical… Read More Here

Mining in DRC

DRC Mining Audit Uncovers Major Shortfall in Funds for Community Development

July 27, 2025July 27, 2025 Constance

DRC Mining Companies Underreport Billions in Revenue, Dodging Millions in Community Development Contributions As part of its 2024 annual activity program, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Court of Auditors conducted an audit on the management of a mandatory 0.3% turnover contribution by mining companies toward community development projects. This audit covered the period from 2018 to 2023 and focused on the compliance of mining companies operating in the production phase, as required under Article 258 bis of the DRC Mining Code. The Court’s investigation uncovered substantial irregularities that undermine… Read More Here

Mining in DRC

DRC Establishes Carbon Market Regulatory Authority to Boost Oversight and Investment

July 26, 2025July 26, 2025 Constance

DRC Launches Carbon Market Regulatory Authority to Strengthen Oversight and Attract Green Investment On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, a series of presidential ordinances were announced on Congolese National Radio and Television (RTNC) by Tina Salama, spokesperson for the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Among the key announcements was the creation of a new public institution: the Carbon Market Regulatory Authority (ARMCA). Established on the government’s recommendation, ARMCA aims to regulate and manage the country’s emerging carbon credit market. Jacques Célestin Moliba Bakanza has been appointed as Chairman… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Corporate News Lithium

AVZ Minerals Accuses DRC of Breaching Arbitration Order in KoBold-Manono Lithium Deal

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025 Constance

AVZ Minerals Alleges DRC Breach of Arbitration in KoBold Lithium Agreement for Manono Project Australia-based AVZ Minerals, which holds a majority stake in the contested Manono lithium project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has accused the DRC government of violating an international arbitration order by signing a new development deal with US-backed KoBold Metals. On July 18, the DRC government announced an agreement with KoBold to jointly develop the southern section of the Manono lithium and tin deposit, one of the largest untapped sources of battery metals globally.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Partnership Technology & Innovation

DRC Partners with Japan’s Firm to Boost Mining Sector with AI and Satellite Technology

July 20, 2025July 20, 2025 Constance

DRC Signs Groundbreaking AI and Satellite Data Partnership with Japan’s Solafune to Revolutionize Mining Sector The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining industry reached a significant technological milestone on Friday, July 18, 2025, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Geological Survey of Congo (SGNC) and Solafune, a Japanese technology company specializing in satellite data mining and artificial intelligence. The signing ceremony, held at the Ministry of Mines, was presided over by the Deputy Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Mines and attended by… Read More Here

Mining in DRC

Civil Society Calls for Transparent and Responsible Mineral Exploitation in the DRC

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 Constance

DRC Civil Society Urges Transparency and Sustainable Partnerships in Strategic Mineral Exploitation On July 16, 2025, the Coalition for the Recovery of the Assets of the Congolese People (CORAC), alongside key civil society groups, issued a strong appeal for responsible and transparent management of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) strategic mineral resources. The DRC is blessed with vast natural wealth—including copper, cobalt, gold, diamonds, timber, and abundant water resources—but decades of mismanagement continue to weigh heavily on the nation’s development. The statement revisits the controversial case of Israeli businessman… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy

China Expands Economic Influence in DRC as U.S. Falls Behind

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 Constance

China Outpaces U.S. in Trade, Education, and Investment in the DRC Amid Growing Global Rivalry As competition between China and the United States intensifies, Beijing is strengthening its economic and strategic foothold in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) emerging as a key focal point—particularly in the mining and infrastructure sectors. Recent trade and education figures underscore China’s widening lead over the U.S. on the African continent. In the first five months of 2024, Chinese exports to Africa reached USD 134 billion, while U.S. exports totaled just USD… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Hydro power plant

World Bank Eyes Inga 3 as Future World’s Largest Hydropower Project

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 Constance

World Bank Backs Inga 3 Dam to Surpass China’s Three Gorges and Power DRC’s Industrial Future On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during an appearance on the Okapi radio program Parole aux Auditeurs (“Talk to the Listeners”), Albert Zeufack, World Bank Country Director for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reaffirmed the institution’s ambitious vision to make the Inga 3 hydropower project the largest dam in the world—surpassing even China’s Three Gorges Dam. “Inga 3 is a landmark project. We’ve been discussing it for decades—ever since Congo completed Inga 2 back… Read More Here

Transport and Logistics Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia

Lobito Rail Project Gains U.S. Momentum as Gateway for Africa’s Copper and Cobalt

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 Constance

U.S. Supports Lobito Corridor Rail Project Linking DRC, Angola, and Zambia to Accelerate Mineral Exports The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Lobito Corridor—a transformative rail project that will connect the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, and Zambia—in a move aimed at boosting regional trade and unlocking economic opportunities. Speaking in a recent interview, U.S. Ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn, described the Lobito Corridor as a powerful lever for economic transformation that will benefit both the DRC and the United States. “We’re in active discussions… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Corporate News Mergers & Acquisitions

U.S. Consortium Eyes Strategic Acquisition of Chemaf Amid Critical Mineral Race in DRC

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 Constance

U.S. Firms Orion and Virtus in Talks to Acquire Congo’s Chemaf Resources as Global Cobalt Race Heats Up A U.S.-based consortium, including former special forces and intelligence veterans, is in advanced talks to acquire Chemaf Resources Ltd., a copper and cobalt producer at the heart of intensifying U.S.-China competition over critical minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to sources familiar with the matter, Orion Resource Partners and Virtus Minerals are jointly negotiating the acquisition of Chemaf, which is currently backed by global commodity trader Trafigura Group. While… Read More Here