Congo tightens control over national geological data
Democratic Republic of Congo is accelerating nationwide geological mapping and digitisation, including a $180 million contract with Xcalibur and airborne surveys covering more than 700,000 square kilometres, to create a national geological databank expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026. Kinshasa plans to keep state control of access and charge fees for sensitive datasets, assessing requests against investor needs and strategic interests. Officials and industry sources say tighter data control could shape future exploration investment and development of cobalt, copper and other critical minerals, altering global supply dynamics already affected by recent export policy moves.
Congo will control access to a national geological databank
Context
The government signed a mapping contract with Xcalibur in January and sped up surveys. The databank will open tiered access and charge for some data. This could change where companies invest and find new deposits.
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