By Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director – DRC Mining Week

Few countries on earth hold the geological potential of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From copper and cobalt to lithium, manganese, tin, and rare earths, the DRC is not only central to Africa’s industrial future, it is rapidly becoming indispensable to the global energy transition. It is within this context of unprecedented global demand that we convene for our next edition under a powerful and timely theme: “THE DRC’S SHIFT: FROM LOCAL PLAYER TO THE WORLD’S LEADING HUB FOR CRITICAL MINERALS.”

Yet resources alone do not build industries. True progress demands deep-rooted partnerships, resilient infrastructure, strategic capital, and a rigorous alignment of policy and trust. This is precisely where DRC Mining Week has earned its position as the continent’s most influential mining investment and leadership platform. As we prepare for this milestone gathering in Lubumbashi, our focus remains on a singular, clear objective: connecting the decision-makers who are actively steering the DRC’s industrial and mining trajectory toward global dominance.

Over the past decade, DRC Mining Week has evolved far beyond the confines of a traditional exhibition. It has become a dynamic marketplace for bankable projects, a high-stakes deal-making environment for global investors, and a vital policy-engagement forum for government. It serves as the commercial hub where major mining operators such as Gécamines SA, Barrick Gold Corporation, Eurasian Resources Group Africa (ERG Africa), Glencore plc, Kamoa Copper SA, MMG Limited, Kamoto Copper Company S.A. (KCC), and Mutanda Mining Sarl (MUMI), alongside technology providers, EPCs, logistics players, and financiers converge, along with many more operators and project owners from across the Copperbelt and wider African mining ecosystem. This synergy is what makes the platform commercially powerful and increasingly essential for anyone serious about the African Copperbelt.

A Market Entering a New Phase

The DRC is undergoing a profound transition. It is moving away from a purely extraction-led economy toward one pursuing local beneficiation, full-scale industrialisation, and supply-chain localisation. Government policy is now sharply focused on in-country processing of critical minerals, the development of strategic industrial corridors, and infrastructure investments designed to unlock downstream growth.

The global interest in this shift is evidenced by the calibre of participants joining us this year. We are honoured to confirm the participation of Louis Watum Kabamba, the DRC’s Minister of Mines, whose leadership is pivotal in navigating this transition. Furthermore, the arrival of world-class innovators like KoBold Metals underscores the DRC’s allure. KoBold Metals (a science-driven exploration firm backed by visionary investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates) has announced plans to invest over USD 50 million in lithium exploration in the DRC by 2027. Their presence at DRC Mining Week is a testament to the sophisticated, data-led investment currently flowing into the region.

A High-Level, Targeted Audience

Our community is carefully curated to ensure maximum impact. Senior executives from mining operators, battery-metal value-chain players, and financial institutions attend with purpose. Confirmed participation from major operators across copper, cobalt, gold, lithium, and critical minerals ensures that conversations are commercially relevant and investment-led. DRC Mining Week provides the environment to:

• Engage directly with government and regulatory leadership, including the Ministry of Mines.
• Identify project pipelines and immediate procurement opportunities.
• Build partnerships with local operators and specialised service providers.
• Understand policy direction firsthand before committing significant capital.
• Secure visibility in a competitive, fast-moving, and high-growth market.

Lubumbashi: At the Heart of Opportunity

Hosting the event in Lubumbashi places the industry directly at the operational centre of the Copperbelt. This physical proximity is intentional, it brings international capital and expertise to the doorstep of local producers. It accelerates the dialogue between global giants like KoBold Metals and the local stakeholders who understand the terrain, effectively removing the distance between potential and opportunity.

Looking Ahead

As the world accelerates toward electrification and sustainable growth, the DRC’s role will only expand. Those who build trusted relationships now will define the next decade of African mining leadership. We look forward to welcoming the industry to Lubumbashi to witness the DRC’s transformation into the world’s leading hub for critical minerals.

We look forward to welcoming the industry to Lubumbashi.

Samukelo Madlabane
Event Director – DRC Mining Week
VUKA Group