KoBold Metals Expands Lithium Exploration in DRC with Seven New Permits
KoBold Metals Secures Seven Lithium and Critical Mineral Permits in DRC Amid U.S. Investment Push
KoBold Metals, the mineral exploration company backed by U.S. billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has secured seven new permits to explore lithium and other critical minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The licenses were awarded weeks after the Berkeley, California-based company signed an exploration agreement with the Congolese government, part of a broader strategy to attract American investment into the country’s mining sector.
The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, the second-largest source of copper, and holds significant reserves of lithium and tantalum, making it a key focus for global mineral supply chains.
The new permits are located in southeastern Congo near the Manono lithium project, which KoBold aims to develop into a major mining operation.
The rights allow the company to prospect for lithium, manganese, tin, and tantalum in the region.
KoBold has informed Congolese authorities that it must first resolve a dispute with Australia’s AVZ Minerals Ltd., which is challenging the government’s termination of its Manono rights. AVZ has initiated arbitration proceedings, seeking either a settlement or buyout.
KoBold’s shareholders include BHP Group, Andreessen Horowitz, and Equinor ASA. The company plans to deploy its AI-driven exploration technology in Manono, funding digital geological mapping, hiring local staff, and supporting infrastructure improvements in host communities.
The move aligns with U.S. efforts to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals used in clean energy and electric vehicles, highlighting KoBold’s role in securing strategic resources for global supply chains.
