The posting
About the Company
In the coming decades, demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, and cobalt will continue to grow. These minerals are needed to build electric infrastructure, vehicles, data centers, and electronics. However, the mining industry is making 10x fewer discoveries per dollar spent on exploration compared to 30 years ago because the easy-to-find, near surface deposits have largely been discovered.
KoBold was founded to be the first AI native mineral exploration, mine development, and technology development company. Our goal is to turn mineral exploration into a repeatable science to discover the minerals the world needs—by integrating artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and new technology. Our multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, and geologists work together to build data systems, design new sensors, and establish industry-leading workflows to develop and test subsurface predictions on our exploration projects.
Our first discovery, Mingomba, is a high-grade copper deposit in Zambia, found after spending materially less than industry average. We are developing Mingomba with the same technical rigor that we apply to exploration. The Mingomba team brings together mine and processing engineers, geologists, data scientists, software engineers, and community, health & safety, construction, and operations specialists. By combining industry knowledge and cutting edge technology, we are developing Mingomba into a world class project that has safer and more predictable outcomes for ourselves, partners, and communities. It is expected to create thousands of good jobs for generations.
KoBold runs exploration programs in eight countries, all with the potential for another discovery.
KoBold is privately held; investors include institutional asset managers T. Rowe Price and Canada Pension Plan Investments; technology venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BOND Capital, Durable Capital, StepStone, and Standard Investments; and strategic natural resources companies BHP and Mitsubishi.
About the position
In this role, you will report directly to KoBold Metals Africa’s Chief Executive Officer. You will work closely with the global Commercial Analytics team (across North America and Europe) to structure ambiguous problems, build financial and operational models, and provide recommendations to the CEO for key decisions.
The work will span a variety of topics and include traditional market analyses such as creating supply/demand forecasts and writing commodity outlook reports, and non-traditional analyses as-needed to advance KoBold’s mission – e.g., operational and financial modeling for KoBold’s exploration programs, build vs. buy decisions for KoBold’s technology, mine economics modeling, investment memos, and scientific communication materials for external audiences. This role will suit a young professional with a proven record of proactive problem-solving and previous exposure to varied professional settings. The learning curve will be steep, and the work will be intellectually demanding.
Responsibilities
- Aggregate existing research and/or conduct original research to build forecasts and models related to commodity markets, KoBold operations, mine development, and more
- Work with the CEO of KoBold Metals Africa to answer strategic questions about the company’s current and future operations on the continent
- Develop visual and analytical products on KoBold Metals Africa’s business development and exploration projects for the Board of Directors and investors or partners
- Use a first-principles approach in collaboration with various KoBold functions to help make decisions or improve operational efficiency (e.g., cost models for technology, HR, exploration programs, carbon emissions reporting, trade-off/sensitivity analyses)
- Conduct analytics for critical workstreams in mine development and exploration; build and maintain financial models assessing project economics
- Support others on the global Commercial Analytics team on various analytical assignments.
Qualifications
- Education in a STEM discipline or economics (especially any degree with exposure to statistics)
- At least 3 years of experience in technology, natural resources, finance, or professional services (candidates from other backgrounds are encouraged to apply and detail in a cover letter how their unique experience would make them well-suited to this position)
- A proven record of self-directed problem-solving in previous employment
- Experience with Python or other scientific computing language and/or financial modeling is strongly preferred
- Top-notch communication and organizational skills
- Regardless of formal training, a strong orientation toward thinking from first principles with respect to science, technology, economics, and business
- Demonstrated ability to quickly absorb and synthesize complex information, with a keen eye for detail and intellectual rigor
- Exceptional curiosity and eagerness to learn, with a proactive approach to exploring new concepts and technologies
- Excitement about joining a fast-growing early-stage company, comfort with a dynamic work environment, and eagerness to take on a range of responsibilities
- Ability to independently prioritize multiple tasks effectively. French speaker (advantageous).
NOTE: All candidates are expected to include a cover letter explaining why they think they would be a good fit for the position, and we expect you to write it without AI assistance.
KoBold Metals is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
This position is a full-time contract. At this time, we are only accepting applications from Zambian nationals.
Location: Lusaka, with frequent travel expected to exploration and development sites. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in Zambia.
What to Expect
Joining KoBold means getting the opportunity for hands-on exposure to our exploration projects around the world. All employees are expected to travel to project sites, with a minimum of one week per year. Field-facing and technical roles spend significantly more time in the field.
