Backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, KoBold Metals is developing the Manono lithium project with 7 exploration permits and over $1 billion in planned investment.
KoBold Metals, the AI-powered mineral exploration company backed by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and other prominent investors, is advancing its $1 billion+ Manono lithium project in the DRC's Tanganyika Province.
The company has secured 7 exploration permits in the region and is deploying its proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to identify the most promising extraction sites.
The Manono-Kitotolo deposit is recognized as one of the world's largest undeveloped hard-rock lithium deposits. KoBold's investment represents one of the largest single commitments by an American company to the DRC mining sector.
This development is particularly significant given the global race to secure lithium supplies for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. Global lithium demand is expected to triple by 2030.
KoBold's approach combines traditional geological expertise with advanced data science, potentially reducing exploration risk and development timelines. The company has already achieved notable success at its Mingomba copper-cobalt deposit in Zambia.
The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the Tanganyika Province, with KoBold committing to significant community development investments alongside the mining operations.
For investors interested in the DRC lithium opportunity, KoBold's commitment signals strong confidence in the country's geological potential and improving investment climate.
