[SMM Flash] The Democratic Republic of Congo is strengthening state control over geological information as it develops a national databank covering critical minerals including tantalum, cobalt, copper, lithium and gold. The country’s geological survey told Reuters that systematic exploration currently covers only about 20% of the DRC, while a US$180 million airborne mapping programme with Spain’s Xcalibur is surveying more than 700,000 km². The national geological databank is expected to become fully operational by the end of 2026.
Basic geological information is expected to remain freely accessible, while more sensitive datasets will be subject to controlled, fee-based access. The initiative does not change current coltan production directly, but improved geological intelligence could influence where future tantalum exploration capital is deployed and strengthen Kinshasa’s negotiating position over new discoveries. The impact on actual supply will depend on whether mapped targets proceed through exploration, financing and mine development.
