Miner KoBold bets on AI to gain edge in DR Congo mineral hunt

KoBold Metals is expanding its search for lithium in the Democratic Republic of Congo, using AI to guide exploration teams through largely uncharted territory. The company says its “explorers” use high-precision GPS units and tablets connected to an AI system running in real time on servers at KoBold’s California base. Founded in 2018 with backing that includes Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, KoBold is part of a broader U.S. strategy to secure strategic minerals and reduce China’s dominance, where China reportedly controls 70% to 80% of the DRC’s copper and cobalt market. KoBold has 14 exploration permits covering more than 3,000 square kilometers since 2025, plans to invest over $50 million by early 2027, and is collecting about 2,000 soil samples per week.