What's Happening?
Belgium is currently in a dispute with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and KoBold Metals, a U.S. mining company backed by Bill Gates, over access to colonial-era geological archives stored at the Africa Museum in Tervuren. KoBold Metals aims to digitize
these archives to explore the DRC's reserves of copper, cobalt, and lithium using AI technology. However, Belgian authorities have refused to grant exclusive access to KoBold, citing the need for a formal contract with the Belgian state. An EU-funded project is already digitizing these archives, with digital copies being sent to Congolese authorities for sovereign control.
Why It's Important?
This dispute highlights the complexities of managing colonial-era archives and the interests of modern stakeholders in valuable natural resources. The archives in question could provide significant insights into the DRC's mineral wealth, which is crucial for the global supply of materials used in technology and renewable energy. Belgium's decision to withhold exclusive access underscores the importance of maintaining control over historical data and ensuring that it is not exploited by private entities without proper agreements. The outcome of this situation could influence future collaborations between countries and private companies in resource exploration.
