KoBold Exploration DRC SA has secured 14 mining permits, all listed as active, in the Congolese Mining Cadastre as of September 30, 2026. Seven of these permits were granted this year, as the company continues to pursue its ambitions in lithium and copper exploration in the DRC. The permits cover a total of 3,558 mining squares, spread across the Tanganyika, Haut-Lomami, and Haut-Katanga provinces.
Eight of the permits cover areas in the territories of Manono and Malemba-Nkulu, totaling 1,929 mining squares. Seven of these permits were awarded in August 2025, and the eighth on January 28, 2026. Their expiration dates range from August 2030 to January 2031. The remaining six permits, representing 1,629 mining squares, are located in Sakania, Haut-Katanga. Five were granted on March 17, 2026, and the last one on May 6, 2026, with expiration dates in 2031.
KoBold Metals announced the opening of its office in Lubumbashi on February 24, 2026, marking a significant step in the expansion of its Congolese activities. The company identified Benjamin Katabuka as the Managing Director of KoBold DRC and highlighted its proximity to its Mingomba site in Zambia. In an interview with Reuters published on September 25, KoBold Metals' President and Co-Founder, Josh Goldman, described the company's work in the DRC as the country's most important lithium exploration program.
The program is being conducted in parallel with a significant copper exploration campaign near the Zambian border. KoBold Metals, backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, is searching for a discovery comparable to the Manono deposit. According to Josh Goldman, the dispute surrounding the Manono deposit, where AVZ Minerals and Chinese interests claim competing rights, has not slowed down KoBold's investment plans in the DRC.
KoBold had previously announced a commercial framework with AVZ Minerals on May 6, 2025, for the purchase of AVZ's commercial interest in the Manono lithium deposit. The two companies stated that the agreement would enable KoBold to mobilize over $1 billion to develop the project and supply Western markets. They noted that they were still working to finalize the commercial agreement.
All the permits secured under KoBold Exploration DRC SA are exploration permits, not exploitation permits. The company's efforts in the DRC are part of a larger strategy to expand its presence in the region. The permits obtained by KoBold Exploration DRC SA demonstrate the company's commitment to investing in the DRC's mining sector.
The Congolese government has been working to improve the country's mining regulations and attract more investment in the sector. KoBold's activities in the DRC are expected to contribute to the country's economic growth and development. The company's exploration programs will help to identify new mineral deposits and create jobs for local communities.
Key points
- KoBold Exploration DRC SA has obtained 14 mining permits covering over 3,000 km² in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The permits were granted for exploration of lithium and copper in the Tanganyika, Haut-Lomami, and Haut-Katanga provinces.
- KoBold Metals is backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, and is searching for a discovery comparable to the Manono deposit.
