Bill Gates & Jeff Bezos-backed firm plans lithium exploration in DR Congo
US-based mineral exploration company KoBold Metals, backed by billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has proposed developing a lithium-rich site in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the country seeks a strategic partnership with Donald Trump’s administration.
KoBold Metals, which leverages artificial intelligence to drive mineral discovery, has expressed interest in investing in the Roche Dure site, known for its vast lithium reserves—an essential component in the global energy transition.
The company, backed by a venture affiliated with billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, wrote to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s office earlier this year, stating it “would welcome the opportunity to develop the asset.”
In the letter to the DRC government, KoBold Metals' Chief Legal Officer, Sandy Alexander, outlined a proposal to resolve ongoing disputes and accelerate the development of the Manono lithium deposit.
KoBold Metals operates across 70 projects spanning five continents. In 2023, the company invested $150 million in Zambia to explore the Copperbelt region, where it has already drilled 50,000 meters at the Mingomba mine, which is expected to become the country's largest copper mine upon completion.
The move comes as the global demand for lithium surges, driven by its crucial role in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy technologies.
KoBold Metals recently raised $537 million in a funding round, bringing its valuation to nearly $3 billion.
