The Atlantic Council published on 16 July 2026 a report titled "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of African Mining" by Anthony Carroll and Jef Karel Caers.
Colonial-era maps and infrastructure hinder access to the roughly 30 percent of global critical minerals in Africa. AI-powered mining and mapping tools could help expedite discovery, reduce drilling time, and modernize operations.
The United States should develop "smart mining" partnerships with African countries that advance US security objectives while providing long-term dividends for African nations.
