Officials from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have announced a five-year partnership with US investment firm Atlas Park to deploy artificial intelligence in geological mapping and mineral exploration.
The agreement was unveiled at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, where both parties outlined plans to modernise how the DRC maps, analyses and manages its vast mineral resources.
Under the deal, Atlas Park will analyse historical geological records and conduct new surveys across the country using AI-driven tools. The results will be transferred to the national geological service in Kinshasa to strengthen exploration planning and guide future investment decisions.
Atlas Park CEO Kai Han said the DRC holds unmatched exploration potential globally, but emphasised that unlocking value requires improved data systems and advanced analytical capabilities.
The partnership comes as global demand surges for copper and cobalt, two minerals in which the DRC is a dominant global supplier. Both resources are critical for clean energy infrastructure, electric vehicles and advanced digital technologies.
Kinshasa has in recent months signed additional data modernisation and exploration agreements with US- and Japan-based firms as part of a broader effort to digitise ageing geological archives and enhance transparency in the mining sector.
However, the deal has sparked debate within parts of the African mining community. Some regional stakeholders, particularly in South Africa, argue that African nations should deepen intra-continental collaboration rather than pursue individual technology partnerships with external actors.
For the DRC government, strengthening geological intelligence is viewed as central to attracting long-term capital and maximising returns from the country’s mineral wealth.
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