KoBold Metals, a company based in Silicon Valley, has utilized artificial intelligence (AI) technology to uncover a significant copper deposit in Zambia. The discovery, estimated to yield a minimum of 300,000 tons of copper annually, is valued at billions of dollars. This finding is crucial for the technology industry and the global effort to combat climate change, as the United States and China vie for access to minerals essential for clean energy technologies. The success of KoBold's mission to revolutionize the process of metal discovery is confirmed by this breakthrough. The company has received investments from American and European private equity funds, including those established by Silicon Valley giants. KoBold intends to invest $2.3 billion in its inaugural mine and is currently negotiating partnerships with contractors and governments. Its technology employs a muon detector capable of identifying valuable subterranean elements, as well as a database called TerraShed, which houses millions of documents for 3D modeling. The implications for Zambia and its populace remain uncertain, as mining has historically resulted in environmental damage and socioeconomic inequality within the country. The United States government perceives this discovery as an opportunity to secure access to critical minerals and is partially funding a railway project to facilitate the export of copper. However, gaining access to neighboring Congo's cobalt reserves, which are also vital for clean energy technologies, presents additional challenges due to Chinese ownership and U.S. sanctions on a mining executive. Despite these obstacles, the United States remains committed to achieving its climate goals and increasing the availability of battery metals. [1f170d88] [7b2660bd]