Belgium’s AfricaMuseum to Digitize Colonial-Era Congo Mining Archives to Boost DRC Mineral Sector

Belgium’s AfricaMuseum in Tervuren has launched an ambitious five-year project to digitize its vast archive of colonial-era geological records concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This initiative involves converting nearly 500 meters of physical shelving into digital data, specifically targeting information on the DRC’s subsoil. These records, which span decades of geological surveys, are expected to provide critical insights into deposits of highly sought-after minerals, including copper, gold, cobalt, and lithium, which are essential for the global green energy transition and the production of modern electronics.

The decision to digitize these archives comes at a time of intensifying global competition for rare earth minerals and battery components. Interestingly, the museum rejected an offer from the US-based exploration firm KoBold Metals—a company backed by high-profile investors like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos—to fund the digitization process. The museum’s leadership expressed concerns that partnering with a private entity might grant the company a monopoly or exclusive early access to the data, which could disadvantage other researchers and the DRC itself. Instead, the project will be executed by a European contractor and funded by the European Union, ensuring that the findings remain in the public domain.

Beyond the immediate economic implications, the project serves a significant historical and scientific purpose. The archives contain detailed maps and field notes from the colonial era that have remained largely inaccessible in their physical form for decades. By digitizing these records and integrating additional documents from Brussels’ state archives, the project aims to create a comprehensive database of the DRC’s mineral wealth. This will empower DRC authorities to better manage their natural resources, identify new mining opportunities, and attract diversified investment into the sector with a clearer understanding of their geological landscape.

As the world shifts toward electric vehicles and renewable energy, the DRC’s role as a primary source of cobalt and lithium has made it a focal point of international geopolitical strategy. This digitization effort is expected to level the playing field by democratizing access to historical geological data. By the end of the five-year period, these digitized archives are slated to be fully available to researchers and policymakers, potentially transforming how the DRC leverages its mineral heritage for national economic growth and global scientific advancement.