The Democratic Republic of Congo is moving to strengthen state control over geological data crucial for mining exploration, potentially increasing its influence on future mineral discoveries. This initiative involves accelerating geological mapping efforts, conducting airborne surveys, and digitizing historical archives to establish a comprehensive national databank of critical minerals. Congolese officials state the aim is to minimize exploration risks for investors, but the move also consolidates state oversight. The project impacts billions of dollars in mining investment and aims to better manage the country’s vast mineral resources. The development signifies a broader governmental strategy to maximize benefits from its rich geological endowment. This increased control over data could reshape the landscape of mineral exploration within the Democratic Republic of Congo.