KoBold Metals President: Western Miners Can Match China's Speed in Africa with Less Red Tape

The president of KoBold Metals, a U.S.-based mineral exploration firm, stated that Western mining companies can match the rapid development pace of their Chinese rivals in Africa if local governments streamline bureaucratic approvals. The executive argued that faster, more coordinated regulatory processes would allow Western capital to be deployed more effectively without compromising compliance standards.

The Race for Critical Minerals

Competition for Africa's vast deposits of critical minerals is intensifying as global powers seek to secure supply chains for materials vital to the energy transition, artificial intelligence, and defense industries. According to a Reuters report, Chinese firms have often outpaced Western competitors in regions from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Guinea, partly through swift project execution and by backing mining operations with integrated infrastructure like railways and ports.

KoBold Metals President Josh Goldman rejected the idea that speed and proper procedure are mutually exclusive. "We reject the assertion that you can’t go fast and do things right. You can do both," Goldman told Reuters on Monday.

A Call for Regulatory Efficiency

KoBold, which is backed by prominent investors including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, is specifically seeking to accelerate its activities in Namibia. Goldman noted the company is eager to increase its investment in the country but requires a faster approvals process to do so.

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Key details of KoBold's Namibian operations include:

• An investment of approximately $2 million since 2022.
• Over 7,000 square kilometers of exploration licenses, its largest land position globally.

Exploration Efforts in the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, KoBold is advancing what Goldman described as the country's largest lithium exploration program, alongside a major copper exploration campaign. The company is searching for a world-class discovery comparable to the Manono deposit, a major lithium resource.

Goldman clarified that KoBold's exploration is not being slowed by a long-running ownership dispute over the Manono project involving Australian and Chinese interests. Meanwhile, China’s Zijin Mining began exporting lithium from an adjacent block at Manono in June, underscoring the speed at which Chinese-backed projects can become operational.