The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) is intensifying efforts to recover millions of colonial-era geological maps and mining records from Belgium. Access to this data is essential for identifying new deposits of critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, and lithium.
Congolese authorities believe these historical records, collected during Belgian colonial rule from 1885 to 1960, can play a major role in discovering untapped mineral deposits. These minerals are increasingly important for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced technologies. The archives are currently housed at the Royal Museum for Central Africa near Brussels.
This push by DR Congo aligns with a broader African effort to modernize geological data and attract mining investment. Countries like South Africa are also working to unlock historical datasets to strengthen mineral exploration. Such initiatives aim to give African nations more control over their natural resources and improve their economic standing.
DR Congo's Mines Minister, Louis Watum Kabamba, recently met with Belgian and European Union officials to discuss the digitisation and transfer of these records. The Luxembourg Times reported on these discussions. Officials agreed to create a joint roadmap for digitising and returning the records, and a task force will oversee the process.
This initiative follows DR Congo's recent steps to tighten control over its mineral exports, particularly cobalt. In February 2025, the country temporarily suspended cobalt exports due to falling prices and reduced government revenues. This was later replaced by a quota system in October 2025, limiting annual exports to 96,600 tonnes for 2026 and 2027.
These measures aim to reduce oversupply, stabilise prices, and strengthen DR Congo's influence over the global cobalt market. The country currently produces about three-quarters of the world's cobalt supply. Increasing its control over geological data is a logical next step to further enhance its position in the critical minerals sector.
A spokesperson for DR Congo's mining ministry stated the government wants to move quickly into implementing this recovery process. The spokesperson emphasised that much of the country remains unexplored. They highlighted the urgent need to accelerate the discovery of new mineral deposits. Africabusinessinsider.com reported that the initiative is seen as strengthening DR Congo's “geoscientific sovereignty”. This aims to make the country's mining sector more competitive and more attractive to investors.
The push for these records also relates to a previous agreement with US exploration company KoBold Metals in 2025. KoBold Metals, backed by investors like Bill Gates, signed an agreement to help digitise the archive. However, the company has not yet gained access to the records in Belgium.
Belgian officials explained that the museum could not grant exclusive access to a private foreign company. Instead, the museum plans to oversee the digitisation process itself. Digital copies are gradually being transferred to Congolese authorities. A Belgian government spokesperson confirmed the project is underway with support from the European Union.
Analysts will be watching how smoothly the digitisation and transfer process unfolds. The successful return and utilisation of these historical records could significantly change DR Congo's mining landscape. It may also encourage other African nations to pursue similar actions for reclaiming historical data. This move could attract substantial new investment into the critical minerals sector across the continent.