"We are not only a source of critical minerals; we are a partner in building resilient and transparent global supply chains." – Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo

“The next great mining discoveries will come not from walking more ground, but from learning to see more in the data we already have.” – KoBold Metals executive leadership statement on data-driven exploration strategy

“Unlocking legacy geoscientific datasets is one of the most powerful ways to accelerate discovery in mature and underexplored regions.” – BHP exploration leadership, referencing global data partnerships and AI-enabled targeting strategies

“Our priority is to ensure that digitisation of historical geological archives benefits Congolese institutions while maintaining scientific integrity and open collaboration.” – Belgian government spokesperson on Royal Museum for Central Africa digitisation programme

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is taking decisive steps to reclaim control of one of its most valuable yet least discussed mineral assets: its geological history. Congolese Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba recently met Belgian and European Union officials to advance plans for the digitisation of millions of geological records housed at Belgium's Royal Museum for Central Africa. 

The archive, compiled during Belgium's colonial administration of Congo, contains decades of geological surveys, exploration reports, maps and mineral assessments that could prove instrumental in identifying the country's next generation of critical mineral discoveries.

The initiative comes as governments, and mining companies worldwide intensify efforts to secure supplies of copper, cobalt, lithium, rare earths and other minerals essential to the global energy transition. For the DRC, which already produces more than 70% of the world's cobalt and ranks among the world's leading copper producers, access to this historical data could represent a major competitive advantage.

"DRC wants to move into the implementation phase, as there is a need to accelerate the discovery of new mineral deposits," a spokesperson for the Congolese Ministry of Mines said. "A very large part of DRC has not yet been explored."

A colonial legacy returns to the spotlight

The geological records at the centre of the discussions are a tangible reminder of the DRC's colonial history.

Between 1885 and 1960, Belgium exercised control over what was then the Belgian Congo, overseeing extensive geological mapping and mineral exploration programmes. Much of the information collected during that period remained in Belgium after Congolese independence.

For decades, these records were largely overlooked outside specialist geological circles. Today, however, they have become increasingly valuable as technological advances enable explorers to extract new insights from historical information.

The issue has gained additional prominence amid broader discussions around restitution, heritage and sovereignty between Belgium and its former colony. At the Brussels meetings, officials agreed to establish a joint roadmap for the digitisation programme and create a dedicated task force to oversee implementation.

According to the Congolese government, the initiative represents an important step toward strengthening the country's "geoscientific sovereignty" while enhancing the competitiveness and attractiveness of its mining sector.

The KoBold Metals controversy

The push to digitise the archive has also drawn international attention because of a dispute involving US-based exploration company KoBold Metals. Backed by investors including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Michael Bloomberg, KoBold has emerged as one of the most prominent technology-driven mineral exploration companies globally. The company uses artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics to identify previously overlooked mineral deposits.

Last year, KoBold signed an agreement with the Congolese government to digitise the geological records. However, the company has yet to gain access to the documents.  Belgian authorities have maintained that exclusive access to millions of records cannot be granted to a private foreign company. Instead, the Royal Museum for Central Africa intends to oversee the digitisation process itself while providing digital copies to Congolese authorities.

The disagreement highlights a growing challenge facing governments worldwide: how to balance foreign investment and technological expertise with national ownership of strategic geological information.

Why historical data matters more than ever

The value of historical geological data has increased dramatically in recent years. While traditional exploration methods often relied on expensive fieldwork and drilling campaigns, advances in artificial intelligence now allow geologists to extract insights from decades-old datasets that were previously impossible to analyse comprehensively.

Historical maps, geochemical surveys, drilling logs and field reports can now be combined with satellite imagery, geophysics and machine learning algorithms to identify previously unrecognised mineral targets. As a result, archives once viewed as scientific records are increasingly being recognised as strategic national assets. 

The DRC's geological potential remains enormous.

Despite hosting some of the world's richest copper and cobalt deposits in the Central African Copperbelt, large portions of the country remain underexplored due to historical conflict, limited infrastructure and the sheer scale of its territory. Access to digitised records could significantly reduce exploration risk and shorten discovery timelines for future projects.

The growing role of AI in mineral discovery

The DRC's efforts are unfolding against a backdrop of rapid technological transformation across the mining industry.

Artificial intelligence has become one of the sector's most significant exploration tools, with major miners, governments and technology companies investing heavily in data-driven discovery.

Last week French mining group Eramet announced a partnership with Paris-based technology company Lithosquare and France's national geological service to combine geological datasets and AI capabilities to identify new mineral opportunities, initially focusing on Africa. Similarly, mining giant BHP has expanded its efforts to unlock value from historical geological information.

Earlier this year, BHP entered a collaboration with South Africa's Council for Geoscience aimed at helping to "unlock legacy datasets" and improve exploration outcomes through advanced analytics. The company has also selected two AI-focused exploration firms for its Xplor accelerator programme.

Australia-based RadiXplore specialises in analysing historical exploration records using artificial intelligence, while Canadian company Mineural employs machine learning techniques to identify and prioritise mineral targets more efficiently.

These initiatives demonstrate how partnerships between governments, geological institutions, mining companies and technology firms are reshaping mineral exploration worldwide.

Partnerships driving Africa's next exploration wave

The DRC's geological data initiative also reflects a broader trend emerging across Africa's mining sector. As countries seek to maximise the value of their mineral endowments, partnerships are increasingly becoming the foundation for future development.

The collaboration now being forged between the Congolese government, Belgian institutions and the European Union illustrates how international cooperation can help unlock historical knowledge while supporting national development objectives.

According to Belgian officials, the digitisation project is already underway with support from EU funding mechanisms. "Priorities are being set at the level of the Royal Museum for Central Africa associated with Congolese partners. Digital copies are being sent to the relevant Congolese authorities gradually," a Belgian government spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, mining companies are already demonstrating interest in the information contained within the archive. According to the Congolese Ministry of Mines, several companies have sought access to historical records to support exploration planning and project development.

Among them is China Railway Group, which is using geological information associated with the archive as part of the development of copper operations in the Kasaï region.

Beyond data: A strategic asset for national development

The significance of the initiative extends far beyond exploration.

For the DRC, greater access to geological information could help attract investment, strengthen domestic scientific capabilities and improve decision-making around mineral resource development. The government has indicated that the data will not only support industry but also be made available to Congolese scientists and researchers. That approach aligns with a growing recognition that geological knowledge itself is becoming a strategic resource.

In an era defined by critical minerals, supply chain security and technological competition, countries are increasingly seeking to control not only the minerals beneath the ground but also the information that helps locate them.

For the DRC, the digitisation of millions of geological records may ultimately prove to be one of the most important mining projects currently underway—even before a single new discovery is made. As governments, technology companies and miners race to secure the resources needed for the energy transition, the battle for geological intelligence is emerging as a new frontier in global mining.

And in that race, the DRC is determined to ensure that the story of its mineral future is written with access to its own past.