Exploration Overview
Exploration spending in the Lobito Corridor region has increased significantly since 2021, driven by critical mineral security concerns and favourable copper/cobalt prices. Total regional exploration budgets are estimated at $800M–$1B annually, with the DRC and Zambia attracting the majority of investment. Despite this growth, Africa as a whole receives only about 15% of global mining exploration spending — well below its share of global mineral resources.
Spending by Country
| Country | 2023 ($M) | 2024 ($M) | Primary Targets |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRC | 450 | 520 | Copper, cobalt, lithium, tin |
| Zambia | 280 | 350 | Copper, nickel, gold |
| Angola | 80 | 110 | Diamonds, iron ore, rare earths |
Exploration Targets
Copper remains the primary exploration target, with companies seeking extensions to known deposits and greenfield discoveries. Lithium exploration has surged following the identification of the Manono pegmatite belt. The DRC's Kibara tin belt and Zambia's North-Western Province are receiving increased attention from junior explorers.
Recent Discoveries
The most significant recent discovery in the corridor region is Mingomba by KoBold Metals — potentially the largest new copper discovery globally in decades. In the DRC, Ivanhoe Mines continues to delineate additional resources within the Kamoa-Kakula licence area. The Longonjo rare earths project in Angola represents a strategically significant discovery for critical mineral supply chains.
Where this fits
This file is part of the corridor data layer used to cross-check routes, production, investment flows, maps, and tracker pages.
Editorial Note
This data page is designed as a concise research gateway, not as a closed encyclopedia article. Its editorial job is to define the subject, explain why it matters to the Lobito Corridor, and route readers toward deeper profiles, datasets, and primary sources. Updates are made when new public data, official disclosures, regulatory changes, or field monitoring materially alter the corridor assessment.
For institutional users, the page should be read as an index layer: it helps locate the relevant company, mine, community, regulation, commodity, or infrastructure file before moving into article-length analysis. Claims that affect investment, human-rights, ESG, or public-policy interpretation should be checked against the linked source pack and the underlying corridor database before being reused externally.