The project combines advanced airborne geophysics, fieldwork, AI-driven data management and local capacity building to support sustainable resource development.

A three-year, multi-technology airborne and field program will cover more than 700,000 km², strengthening national decision-making, responsible investment, and geological knowledge.

The Ministry of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Xcalibur Smart Mapping have officially signed a strategic contract to carry out one of the most ambitious airborne geophysical and geological mapping programs ever undertaken on the African continent.

The project, designed to be implemented over a three-year period, will cover the provinces of Kasai, Kwango, Kongo Central and Katanga, encompassing a combined area of more than 700,000 square kilometers. Through the application of cutting-edge airborne geophysics, fieldwork and advanced data management, the initiative aims to establish a new geological baseline for the country, supporting national planning, responsible investment and long-term development.

From Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s perspective, the project represents not only a technological milestone, but also a continuation of a long-term partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo that began in 2017, when the company signed its first contract in the country.

“This project reflects a significant increase in ambition compared to previous programs carried out in the DRC,” said Andrés Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping. “It is designed to deliver a level of geological knowledge and data integration that will serve the country for decades, strengthening decision-making and supporting sustainable development linked to critical raw materials.”

An integrated, multi-technology approach

The airborne program will begin with magnetic, radiometric and gravity surveys, which, since 2024, can be flown simultaneously on a single aircraft using Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s integrated platforms. This capability significantly reduces operational time and costs while increasing data consistency.

Over the course of the project, Xcalibur Smart Mapping plans to fly more than 2.7 million line kilometers, along flight lines spaced at 250 meters, generating high-resolution datasets across vast and geologically diverse regions. The company also plans to progressively scale operations in the country, with the objective of deploying between six and eight aircraft dedicated to the program.

In addition, the project includes the acquisition of airborne electromagnetic data using Tempest, Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s proprietary system. Tempest is currently available on only four aircraft worldwide and is operated annually by institutions such as the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Geoscience Australia, as well as in large national programs in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Brazil.

During the dry season, one Tempest-equipped aircraft will be dedicated full-time to the DRC program, with the objective of acquiring more than 300,000 line kilometers of electromagnetic data, flown at a spacing of 2.5 kilometers.

“Having access to this type of electromagnetic data fundamentally changes how subsurface structures can be understood,” Blanco added. “It allows governments and geological surveys to move from fragmented information to an integrated view of mineral systems at a national scale.”

Beyond airborne geophysics: fieldwork and local collaboration

The project extends well beyond airborne surveys, incorporating a comprehensive fieldwork and ground validation component carried out in close collaboration with the Geological Survey of the Democratic Republic of Congo and local companies.

This phase builds on local geological knowledge and expertise and may include geological mapping, geochemical sampling and other targeted activities, defined progressively based on the insights generated by the airborne data.

All airborne and ground-based information will be integrated into XENAI, Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s proprietary AI data platform. XENAI provides secure, structured access to multi-layer geoscientific datasets, while enabling the application of advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning tools developed by the company.

These capabilities support the generation of integrated interpretation and prospectivity reports, identifying areas of geological interest and providing a robust, evidence-based foundation for national planning and responsible investment promotion.

Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s multidisciplinary team—bringing together experts from Canada, Australia, Asia, Europe and across Africa—will combine airborne geophysics, field observations, satellite imagery and existing geological information to deliver holistic, high-value interpretations aligned with international best practices.

This integrated approach is what Xcalibur Smart Mapping refers to as Earth Intelligence.

Supporting national strategy, ownership and capacity building

From the outset, the project has been designed to reinforce national ownership of geological information. All data generated will remain the property of the Geological Survey and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which will determine how the information is used and shared in line with national priorities.

A senior official from the Ministry of Mines emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative:

“This program provides the Democratic Republic of Congo with a modern geological foundation that strengthens transparency, supports responsible investment and enhances our capacity to manage natural resources in the national interest,” the official said. “It is a decisive step towards better knowledge of our territory and its potential.”

In parallel, the project includes training programs for Geological Survey staff, as well as support for conferences and international events aimed at promoting the results. The objective is to ensure that the initiative leaves a lasting institutional and technical legacy for the country.

A tool for long-term development and responsible investment

The availability of high-quality, nationally owned geophysical data is expected to play a critical role in presenting the mineral potential of the DRC to investors, while also supporting policy decisions related to regional development, infrastructure planning and the energy transition.

“Reliable geological information is a strategic asset,” Blanco concluded. “Our role is to provide governments with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions, attract responsible investment and ensure that natural resources contribute to sustainable development.”

Here is a television report on the agreement