As the global race for critical minerals intensifies, the Demo-cratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is seeing the benefit of growing investments from leading economies such as China and the US, reported engineering and scientific consultancy SRK Consulting Congo geological consultant and chairperson Dominique Sambwa, who sadly passed away in May 2026.

The DRC’s position as a growing destination for mining investment has been fuelled by increased international competition for critical minerals – a trajectory reflected by both geological advantage and increasing global demand for responsibly sourced materials, he said.

“The DRC is evolving as a key player in the global supply chain. The country’s potential remains underexplored, and its reserves of critical minerals are still underestimated,” said Sambwa.

While emphasising that exploration upside remains significant, even as existing operations expand, further mining growth will need to be underpinned by the ability to translate the DRC’s vast mineral endowment into bankable, investment-ready projects, he noted.

“This means close attention to rising investor expectations, ever-evolving global industry standards and tightening regulatory frameworks,” added Sambwa.

SRK Consulting has participated directly in the 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, he pointed out. 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 like lithium gather pace – such as that provided by the Manono project. 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,” said Sambwa.

Infrastructure cannot be separated from mine viability, he said, with key elements such as power availability, transport access and water supply all influencing whether a mineral asset is merely promising on paper or genuinely investable.

Industrial Revolution

The DRC is on the “cusp of a broader industrial shift”, said SRK Consulting South Africa environmental, social and governance (ESG) partner and Congo director Wouter Jordaan, adding that 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, he pointed out.

“The DRC is on the brink of an industrial revolution, especially if power supply can be stabilised. This would open the door to more opportunities in beneficiation of battery materials and even recycling; it just needs continued improvement in the provision of energy, logistics and upgrading of local technical capacity,” said Jordaan.

Sambwa explained that SRK’s multidisciplinary model – spanning fields such as geology, resource estimation, mine planning, environmental impact, social engagement, water and infrastructure – has enabled the Lubumbashi practice to expand its services.

Sambwa added that SRK’s skill sets extend well beyond mining into broader infrastructure and energy projects, reflecting the convergence of these sectors while leveraging their international network to empower local professionals to apply global standards across sectors.

International supply chains demand that operators meet global sustainability benchmarks, for instance, while delivering the highest level of technical and engineering excellence, said Jordaan.

“A shortage of specialised skills remains a structural challenge, and needs coordinated investment in education, training and mentoring. This is particularly relevant in engineering disciplines critical to infrastructure delivery,” he noted.

Sambwa further pointed out how SRK supports capacity building through multidisciplinary engagement in its country practices, exposing local teams to integrated thinking across infrastructure, ESG, water and technical studies.