Home News Democratic Republic of the Congo launches major airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme with Xcalibur Smart Mapping Announcements Last news 5 MIN. READ Democratic Republic of the Congo launches major airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme with Xcalibur Smart Mapping SHARE Democratic Republic of the Congo launches major airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme with Xcalibur Smart Mapping The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially launched a major airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme in partnership with Xcalibur Smart Mapping on 5 October 2026. The three-year programme will cover approximately 35% of the country, including the provinces of Kongo Central, Kwango and Kasai, as well as the Greater Katanga region. It will involve the acquisition of more than 3 million line kilometres of geophysical data, together with geological mapping and geochemical surveys covering nearly 700,000 km². The programme will strengthen knowledge of the Congolese subsurface, guide mineral exploration and provide reliable data to inform public decision-making and investment in the mining sector. A large-scale geophysical survey Operations are already under way. Eight aircraft are currently mobilised in the DRC, with up to 12 expected to be in operation at peak activity. The geophysical data acquisition campaign will combine several methods, including magnetic, radiometric, gravity and electromagnetic surveys. The data collected will provide a more detailed understanding of subsurface geological structures and help identify areas with mineral potential. The data will be processed and interpreted using advanced digital technologies, including XENAI, Xcalibur’s platform for integrating and analysing geoscientific data with the support of artificial intelligence tools. A programme of strategic importance for the DRC The programme was launched in Kinshasa under the High Patronage of H.E. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralisation and Customary Affairs; H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines; and representatives of public institutions, geological services, provincial and traditional authorities, and Xcalibur Smart Mapping. For the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the acquisition of modern geoscientific data represents an important means of improving knowledge of the country’s mineral potential, guiding exploration and fostering responsible investment. H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines, said: “The campaign we are launching today is a tangible step in the right direction. Beyond its technical dimension, it is of strategic importance: it will enable us to improve our knowledge of our territory, deepen our understanding of our mineral resources and transform this knowledge into development opportunities for our people and a legacy for future generations.” Technology and knowledge transfer The programme also includes a significant component dedicated to knowledge transfer and the strengthening of national capabilities. Congolese experts will participate in the operations and receive practical, on-the-job training alongside Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s international teams. Andrés Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping, said: “Our ambition is to help the DRC transform a deeper understanding of its geology into informed decisions and tangible exploration opportunities. Working with the Ministry of Mines, we plan to connect the survey with programmes that accelerate early-stage exploration and create opportunities for responsible local investors. Developing Congolese expertise is also central to this effort.” The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Xcalibur Smart Mapping will work together to maximise the value of the data generated by the survey, support mineral exploration and contribute to a deeper understanding of the country’s geological and mineral potential. < SEE PREVIOUS NEW SEE NEXT NEW > < > Related news Announcements Last news Xcalibur Smart Mapping completes Airborne Geophysical Surveys of Block 22B for Al Hadeetha Mining Company through its subsidiary Arabian Smart Mapping SEE MORE > Announcements Last news Šahmanović: A Country That Does Not Know Its Mineral Resources Cannot Responsibly Plan Its Future SEE MORE > Announcements Last news Xcalibur Smart Mapping strengthens its growth strategy with Moira Capital and the Spain Oman Private Equity Fund (SOPEF). 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SHARE Democratic Republic of the Congo launches major airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme with Xcalibur Smart Mapping The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially launched a major airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme in partnership with Xcalibur Smart Mapping on 5 October 2026. The three-year programme will cover approximately 35% of the country, including the provinces of Kongo Central, Kwango and Kasai, as well as the Greater Katanga region. It will involve the acquisition of more than 3 million line kilometres of geophysical data, together with geological mapping and geochemical surveys covering nearly 700,000 km². The programme will strengthen knowledge of the Congolese subsurface, guide mineral exploration and provide reliable data to inform public decision-making and investment in the mining sector. A large-scale geophysical survey Operations are already under way. Eight aircraft are currently mobilised in the DRC, with up to 12 expected to be in operation at peak activity. The geophysical data acquisition campaign will combine several methods, including magnetic, radiometric, gravity and electromagnetic surveys. The data collected will provide a more detailed understanding of subsurface geological structures and help identify areas with mineral potential. The data will be processed and interpreted using advanced digital technologies, including XENAI, Xcalibur’s platform for integrating and analysing geoscientific data with the support of artificial intelligence tools. A programme of strategic importance for the DRC The programme was launched in Kinshasa under the High Patronage of H.E. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralisation and Customary Affairs; H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines; and representatives of public institutions, geological services, provincial and traditional authorities, and Xcalibur Smart Mapping. For the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the acquisition of modern geoscientific data represents an important means of improving knowledge of the country’s mineral potential, guiding exploration and fostering responsible investment. H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines, said: “The campaign we are launching today is a tangible step in the right direction. Beyond its technical dimension, it is of strategic importance: it will enable us to improve our knowledge of our territory, deepen our understanding of our mineral resources and transform this knowledge into development opportunities for our people and a legacy for future generations.” Technology and knowledge transfer The programme also includes a significant component dedicated to knowledge transfer and the strengthening of national capabilities. Congolese experts will participate in the operations and receive practical, on-the-job training alongside Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s international teams. Andrés Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping, said: “Our ambition is to help the DRC transform a deeper understanding of its geology into informed decisions and tangible exploration opportunities. Working with the Ministry of Mines, we plan to connect the survey with programmes that accelerate early-stage exploration and create opportunities for responsible local investors. Developing Congolese expertise is also central to this effort.” The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Xcalibur Smart Mapping will work together to maximise the value of the data generated by the survey, support mineral exploration and contribute to a deeper understanding of the country’s geological and mineral potential.
Democratic Republic of the Congo launches major airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme with Xcalibur Smart Mapping The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially launched a major airborne geophysical and geological mapping programme in partnership with Xcalibur Smart Mapping on 5 October 2026. The three-year programme will cover approximately 35% of the country, including the provinces of Kongo Central, Kwango and Kasai, as well as the Greater Katanga region. It will involve the acquisition of more than 3 million line kilometres of geophysical data, together with geological mapping and geochemical surveys covering nearly 700,000 km². The programme will strengthen knowledge of the Congolese subsurface, guide mineral exploration and provide reliable data to inform public decision-making and investment in the mining sector. A large-scale geophysical survey Operations are already under way. Eight aircraft are currently mobilised in the DRC, with up to 12 expected to be in operation at peak activity. The geophysical data acquisition campaign will combine several methods, including magnetic, radiometric, gravity and electromagnetic surveys. The data collected will provide a more detailed understanding of subsurface geological structures and help identify areas with mineral potential. The data will be processed and interpreted using advanced digital technologies, including XENAI, Xcalibur’s platform for integrating and analysing geoscientific data with the support of artificial intelligence tools. A programme of strategic importance for the DRC The programme was launched in Kinshasa under the High Patronage of H.E. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Jacquemain Shabani Lukoo, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Security, Decentralisation and Customary Affairs; H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines; and representatives of public institutions, geological services, provincial and traditional authorities, and Xcalibur Smart Mapping. For the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the acquisition of modern geoscientific data represents an important means of improving knowledge of the country’s mineral potential, guiding exploration and fostering responsible investment. H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines, said: “The campaign we are launching today is a tangible step in the right direction. Beyond its technical dimension, it is of strategic importance: it will enable us to improve our knowledge of our territory, deepen our understanding of our mineral resources and transform this knowledge into development opportunities for our people and a legacy for future generations.” Technology and knowledge transfer The programme also includes a significant component dedicated to knowledge transfer and the strengthening of national capabilities. Congolese experts will participate in the operations and receive practical, on-the-job training alongside Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s international teams. Andrés Blanco, CEO of Xcalibur Smart Mapping, said: “Our ambition is to help the DRC transform a deeper understanding of its geology into informed decisions and tangible exploration opportunities. Working with the Ministry of Mines, we plan to connect the survey with programmes that accelerate early-stage exploration and create opportunities for responsible local investors. Developing Congolese expertise is also central to this effort.” The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Xcalibur Smart Mapping will work together to maximise the value of the data generated by the survey, support mineral exploration and contribute to a deeper understanding of the country’s geological and mineral potential.