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Artificial intelligence (AI) in mineral exploration is set to take centre stage at African Mining Week (AMW) in Cape Town as KoBold Metals Africa Chief Executive Officer Mfikeyi Makayi prepares to outline how data-driven tools are reshaping discovery and development across the continent.
KoBold Metals, a California-based exploration company backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, uses AI-powered modelling to accelerate exploration timelines and reduce early-stage development costs. At AMW, Makayi is expected to highlight how KoBold’s platform is being deployed to de-risk exploration and improve decision-making across high-potential mineral regions.
The company is already advancing major projects in Africa with the US$2.3 billion Mingomba copper project in Zambia, which is expected to contribute to the country’s long-term copper production expansion targets. KoBold is also working with the government of Burundi to digitise geological datasets and apply AI to copper, nickel and cobalt exploration, while in the Democratic Republic of Congo it plans to invest more than US$1 billion in the Manono lithium project.
The company’s African strategy is focused on building scalable exploration models that integrate geoscience with machine learning to identify high-value deposits faster than traditional methods.
However, industry debates around automation and employment are intensifying, with labour organisations warning that AI adoption could reshape employment structures in lower-skilled mining roles. Makayi’s participation at AMW is expected to contribute to broader discussions on how digital transformation can be balanced with inclusive job creation and skills development across the mining sector.
