Bezos- and Gates-Backed KoBold Metals Launches Massive Lithium Exploration Push in Congo

Bezos-Gates Firm Moves to Control Key Minerals

KoBold Metals, a company backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has launched a mining operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to bring lithium to the United States. The company has 13 licenses to operate in the area and will spend approximately $50 million by the end of 2027, Bloomberg reports. “A year ago, KoBold had no employees and no land in the DRC,” said KoBold CEO Kurt House, as per Mining Engineering Magazine. “Tod…

Bezos- and Gates-Backed KoBold Metals Launches Massive Lithium Exploration Push in Congo

KoBold Metals, backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has launched a massive lithium exploration campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), seeking to bring the critical resource used in electric vehicles and other batteries to the United States, the company announced April 13. “This campaign is possible because of the courage and vision of the DRC government and the tireless work of the [U.S. State Department] to create the …

KoBold launches major Congo lithium exploration drive

US mining technology company KoBold Metals has begun what it describes as the largest lithium exploration campaign ever undertaken in the Democratic Republic of Congo, committing around $50m to the project through early 2027. The company, backed by investors including Bill Gates and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, has secured 13 licences in southeastern Congo to explore for lithium and other minerals, according to Bloomberg News on Tue…