Field Operations Manager

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 the role of Manager, Drilling & Field Operations  you will oversee the planning and execution of our field activities including drilling and remote exploration activities (reconnaissance, soil sampling, geophysical surveys, remote camp set up, road and pad construction) to meet our business objectives without causing harm to our people, our contractors and partners, or the communities and environments where we operate. You will report to the VP of Field Operations, and also work closely with, the Zambia Director of Exploration, geology teams, the leaders for our field programs, and other members of the operations team. Your primary responsibility will be to serve as the leader of drilling and field operations for 2-4 unique operating areas and multiple projects per year.

Responsibilities

For 2-4 unique areas, , the Field Operations Manager will be accountable for

• Operations Control Center: Maintain daily contact with and monitor the status of KoBold personnel and contractors while in the field. Ensure field ops and drilling leads maintain close communication with the Project Geologist, Project Data Scientist, and the Senior Project Planner
• Reporting: Working closely with the Zambia Manager of HSE, execute and maintain KoBold’s system for tracking health & safety incidents and provide periodic reporting
• Compliance: Understand applicable local laws and regulations and the practices of our joint venture partners and ensure that we follow them in all our operations
• Field Service Contractors: Identify, evaluate, contract with, and manage  contractors and vendors for a wide range of field operations, from camp construction to helicopter transport to emergency medical services
• Logistics: Arrange for the shipment of equipment and material to and from KoBold’s project sites
• Local Management: Deploy to remote project locations as required to implement and manage programs
• Process Improvement: Creating ways of working that allow us to continue to work more effectively and to be nimble so that we can support machine-learning-driven dynamic field programs, where we adapt our plan based on the data we collect at each stage
• Stakeholder Engagement: With leadership direction and support, help represent KoBold Metals with local stakeholders

Qualifications

You must have:

• At least 15 years of experience supervising drilling operations and field operations in mineral exploration & mining, oil & gas or a related industry with a minimum of 5 of those years in a leadership capacity
• Demonstrated commitment to and familiarity with developing and implementing high standards of health & safety in the workplace
• The ability to problem-solve in remote environments
• The ability to work in remote and isolated locations for extended periods of time
• Must speak, read, and write in English; French is an asset
• A high degree of independence and the ability to work effectively with limited supervision
• Familiarity with Project Management principles and managing projects remotely
• Strong project management skills, strategic planning, and multi-disciplinary management  and oversight
• Enjoyment in working with people in a wide variety of disciplines and different parts of the world
• Strong communication skills and a passion for cross functional engagement and collaboration
• Interest in contributing broadly to the success of the company and eager to pitch in where needed
• Valid First Aid Certification (Level 3 or Wilderness First Aid is preferred)

It is helpful but not required to have:

• Run programs in different countries and/or remote environments
• Worked in a small company or as a member of a very small team with a broad mandate working in a fast paced project environment.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation, CRSP designation, Red Seal designation (electrical, carpentry, plumbing), trained or experienced in operating heavy equipment.
• Mechanical or civil engineering degree

KoBold Metals is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

This position is full-time, exempt.

The US base salary range for this full-time exempt position is $90,000-$130,000.

Location: Chililabombwe,  Zambia.  At this time, we are only accepting applications from Zambian nationals.

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.