US-based KoBold Metals enters Congo to mine critical minerals using AI, with backing from Gates, Bezos, and Branson for EV energy future.
KoBold Bets Big on DRC’s Cobalt Future
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – KoBold Metals, a U.S.-based mining startup backed by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson, is making a major move into the DRC. Known for its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to discover untapped mineral deposits, KoBold is targeting critical resources—cobalt, lithium, and copper—that power electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.
The DRC, which holds over 60% of the world’s cobalt reserves, is central to KoBold’s strategy to build sustainable and traceable supply chains for the global energy transition.
📅 Timeline: KoBold’s Entry into Congo
- November 2023: KoBold announced interest in the DRC. CEO Kurt House said the country has “probably the best geological potential for the materials we’re looking for.”
- April 2025: KoBold named Benjamin Katabuka as Director-General for DRC operations. A veteran from Freeport-McMoRan, Katabuka stated, “KoBold is looking to go big in this country… investments could run into the billions.”
🌍 Global Operations and Zambia’s Copper Play
KoBold is active in 60+ exploration projects across North America and Africa. In Zambia, it is developing the Mingomba copper-cobalt mine with EMR Capital and ZCCM-IH. The mine hosts 247 million tonnes of ore at 3.64% copper—among the highest undeveloped copper grades globally.
KoBold has already invested $150 million in the Zambian site.
🌐 Why DRC Matters for the Global Energy Transition
The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and a major supplier of copper, tin, and coltan—all essential to clean energy tech, EV batteries, and digital infrastructure.
To reduce dependence on China’s mineral dominance, the U.S. government is working on a critical minerals partnership with Kinshasa.
👉 Read more about U.S. mineral diplomacy in DRC
⚠️ Challenges: Conflict and Corruption
Despite its wealth, the DRC poses risks:
- Ongoing conflict in North Kivu involving the M23 rebel group
- Widespread corruption perceptions
- Poor infrastructure and logistics
Katabuka emphasized that KoBold is committed to environmental ethics and local partnerships, while using AI to reduce exploration costs and risks.
🤖 AI-Powered Mining
KoBold’s tech advantage lies in machine learning. The company collects and processes vast geological datasets to predict mineral deposits faster and more accurately than traditional methods—making exploration cheaper and more efficient.
💰 Backed by Billionaires, Anchored in Ethics
KoBold’s $1 billion fundraising is led by:
📌 The Bezos Earth Fund recently pledged $110 million to protect the Congo Basin rainforest
📌 The Gates Foundation supports health and agriculture across Central Africa
👉 Explore Bezos Earth Fund support for Congo’s environment
👉 Learn more about Gates Foundation projects in the region
🔭 A Strategic Bet on Africa’s Future
KoBold’s Congo move is part of a broader realignment of mineral sourcing, using AI and ESG principles. With soaring EV demand and global supply chain shifts, control of cobalt and lithium is now a national priority.
KoBold aims to balance profit, sustainability, and geopolitical strategy in one of the world’s most challenging but critical mining regions.
✅ Bottom Line
KoBold Metals is reshaping how critical minerals are sourced in Africa—using AI, ESG principles, and billionaire capital to mine responsibly and smartly. In the DRC, where mineral wealth meets political fragility, KoBold’s bold entry may define the next chapter in the clean energy revolution.
