DR Congo battles former colonial ruler Belgium for millions of maps revealing where its copper, cobalt and mineral wealth are located

DR Congo is collaborating with Belgium and the EU to digitise and repatriate colonial-era geological records from the Royal Museum for Central Africa. According to the Luxembourg Times, these records—including maps, field reports, and rock samples—aim to help Kinshasa discover new deposits of cobalt, copper, and lithium to boost its mining competitiveness and geoscientific sovereignty.

Why is DR Congo seeking colonial-era geological records?

The Congolese government wants to identify new deposits of critical minerals used in electric vehicles and renewable-energy systems. A spokesperson for the Congolese mining ministry told the Luxembourg Times that “there is a need to accelerate the discovery of new mineral deposits” because a large portion of the country remains unexplored.

The records in question were gathered between 1885 and 1960 during Belgian colonial rule. They consist of aerial photographs, rock samples, and geological maps. Congolese Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba recently met with Belgian and EU officials to establish a joint roadmap and a task force to oversee the digitisation and transfer of these materials.

How does this fit into DR Congo’s broader mineral strategy?

This push for data is happening while Kinshasa tightens its control over physical exports. In February 2025, the government suspended cobalt exports after an oversupply crashed prices and cut government revenue, according to the Luxembourg Times.

By October 2025, the ban was replaced by a quota system. This system caps annual exports at 96,600 tonnes for 2026 and 2027. While these restrictions helped raise cobalt prices, they also squeezed supplies for refiners—particularly in China—and accelerated the industry’s shift toward cobalt-free battery technologies.

What is the dispute over the KoBold Metals agreement?

The quest for data has created a clash between private interests and national heritage. In 2025, KoBold Metals, a US exploration firm backed by investors including Bill Gates, signed a deal with DR Congo to digitise the records. However, the company has not gained access to the collection in Belgium.

Belgian officials told the Luxembourg Times that the Royal Museum for Central Africa cannot grant exclusive access to millions of documents to a foreign private company. Instead, the museum is managing the process via EU funding and is gradually sending digital copies directly to Congolese authorities.

How are other African nations modernising geological data?

DR Congo isn’t alone in this effort. Across the continent, nations are digitising legacy data to attract more precise mineral investment. South Africa’s Council for Geoscience, for example, has partnered with mining giant BHP to unlock legacy datasets.

Other key initiatives include:

• PanAfGeo+: An EU-backed programme helping African agencies improve mapping and data management. DR Congo joined the PanAfGeo+ INVEST initiative in March 2026.
• AI Exploration: French miner Eramet has teamed up with technology firm Lithosquare and France’s national geological service (BRGM) to use artificial intelligence to find critical metals across Africa.

Comparing Data Access Models

The current situation reveals two competing models for mineral exploration data. The KoBold model relies on private capital and advanced tech for rapid digitisation. The Belgian/EU model prioritises government-to-government transfer to ensure public archives aren’t monopolised by a single corporation.

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