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.

“The DRC is on the brink of an industrial revolution, especially if power supply can be stabilised,” said Jordaan. “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.”

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

Empowering local professionals

“Our skill sets extend well beyond mining into broader infrastructure and energy projects, reflecting the convergence of these sectors,” he said. “At the same time, we leverage our international network to empower our 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,” he said. “This is particularly relevant in engineering disciplines critical to infrastructure delivery.”

Sambwa 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.

Deep local knowledge

“These skills are increasingly required for modern mining projects, and combine deep local knowledge with global expertise,” he said. “SRK helps build practical, project-based skills in areas such as geology, resource estimation, ESG compliance and mine planning – with on-the-job exposure that is aligned with industry requirements.”

Jordaan highlighted that SRK Consulting Congo draws supplementary expertise from its global practices including South Africa, UK, China, Australia and Canada.

“These experts offer a channel of skills to complement the expertise in the Lubumbashi office, as well as to overcome language and cultural barriers,” he explained. “Local professionals can therefore offer clients access to leading-edge methodologies and technologies, while adapting them to local conditions.”

In this sense, SRK’s role is not just technical delivery, but helping clients and stakeholders to transition to internationally compliant, skills-intensive operations – strengthening long-term human capital in the sector.

In tribute to Dominique Sambwa

SRK Consulting is deeply saddened by the passing of Dominique Sambwa, Chairman of SRK Consulting Congo. Dominique was a highly respected geologist with more than 30 years of experience in the DRC. Since joining SRK Congo in 2010, and later serving as SRK Congo Chairman from 2021, he made a valued and lasting contribution to our practice in the DRC and to the mining industry in the region. This article was compiled prior to Dominique’s untimely passing.