DR Congo launches airborne geophysical mapping programme
The airborne survey launched on October 5 aims to increase geoscientific coverage from 22.27% to 46.1%, rather than measure the area containing deposits.
Event / data period: 2026-10-05
Published: · Updated:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo launched a national airborne geophysical and geological mapping campaign at Ndolo airport in Kinshasa on October 5, 2026. Mines Minister Louis Watum said the National Geological Service and Xcalibur’s technical support would focus the work on Kongo Central, Kwango, Kwilu and Grand Kasai, continuing earlier work in Grand Katanga.
The minister’s technical projection puts geoscientific coverage at 46.1%, up from 22.27%. This is a survey-coverage target, not the proportion of land containing mineral deposits. Watum also cautioned that a geophysical anomaly alone does not establish a deposit: it requires interpretation and, where necessary, confirmation through fieldwork.
Data
Geoscientific coverage
Current coverage and technical target stated by the minister.
- Reported current coverage
- 22.27 percent
- 2026-10-05 · Observed
- Technical coverage target
- 46.1 percent
- 2026-10-05 · Target
Methodology
Records percentages in the October 5 statement. The target does not measure discovered deposit area or completed surveying.
Updated:
Subjects and places
Geographic references
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- Congo - Kinshasa · Place role: Coverage · Place type: Country or area · Location precision: RegionalEvidence
- Explicit preserved editorial country/region; no city or national centroid inferredacp.cd ↗