As the global race for critical minerals intensifies, the Democratic Republic of Congo is seeing the benefit of growing investments from leading economies such as China and the US – making for exciting prospects at the upcoming DRC Mining Week.
As a regular exhibitor at the event, global engineering and scientific consultancy SRK Consulting said the country’s position as a growing destination for mining investment has been fuelled by increased international competition for critical minerals. According to the late Dominique Sambwa, geological consultant and chairman of SRK Consulting Congo, the country’s trajectory reflects both geological advantage and increasing global demand for responsibly sourced materials.
“The DRC is evolving as a key player in the global supply chain,” said Sambwa. “The country’s potential remains underexplored, and its reserves of critical minerals are still underestimated.”
He emphasised that exploration upside remains significant, even as existing operations expand. What must underpin further mining growth, however, is the ability to translate the DRC’s vast mineral endowment into bankable, investment-ready projects.
“This means close attention to rising investor expectations, ever-evolving global industry standards, and tightening regulatory frameworks,” he said.
Supporting DRC’s transition
He highlights that SRK Consulting has participated directly in DRC’s transition from state-led to internationally financed mining development, from its Lubumbashi practice established 16 years ago and from its other consulting practices worldwide. This includes helping align local projects with global reporting codes and technical standards, as an essential step in unlocking foreign investment.
“In this current phase of the country’s mineral development, it has been able to leverage its copper and cobalt production to underpin the energy transition, while new frontiers such as lithium gather pace – such as the Manono project,” he said. “Becoming a leading hub for the world’s critical minerals also demands continued attention to infrastructure and energy – which are enablers of both mining and broader industrialisation.”
Sambwa explained that infrastructure cannot be separated from mine viability.
“Key elements such as power availability, transport access and water supply all influence whether a mineral asset is merely promising on paper or genuinely investable,” he said.
Industrial revolution
Encouragingly, momentum in a range of sectors is building on the strength of mining growth. Major regional routes such as the Lobito Corridor and emerging links to East Africa are attracting investment, while mines are increasingly using hydropower solutions to ensure supply reliability and sustainability. Wouter Jordaan, ESG partner at SRK Consulting South Africa and director at SRK Consulting Congo, pointed out that the DRC is on the cusp of a broader industrial shift.
