Chief Mining Engineer

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 job:

This role reports into the Vice President of Projects and leads the full mine design, planning, and production scheduling efforts for KoBold’s Mingomba project, including pre-feasibility and feasibility engineering studies. The role is responsible for the strategy, implementation and execution of the mine design program consistent with the project's development plans and in coordination with engineering, construction and operations teams. The role owns all component modelling work around the mine and also builds a collaborative relationship to support synergies with surrounding mine operators. Candidates who have worked as Mine Technical Services Managers are also suitable for this role.

You will join an outstanding team of geoscientists, engineers, data scientists, and software engineers. You will be a core part of the project team, supporting the advancement of the science and practice of exploration. You will support the development of novel data collection and monitoring programs. Working closely with geologists, hydrogeologists, and data scientists you will support construction of physics-based and data-driven models of the hydrogeology of our site and development of state-of-the-art water management strategies. A key challenge will be to quantify uncertainties relevant to mine development and operation, and to identify efficient means for reducing these uncertainties as the project advances.

Job Responsibilities and Duties:

As a technical lead, perform strategic mine design and engineering analyses, including mine design sequencing and scheduling utilizing KoBold’s software tools.

• Conduct a full range of mine engineering functions, including:
• Detailed design of Mingomba underground mine
• Lead the integration of mine technical and productivity inputs into the design
• Engineering trade-off studies
• Cost estimation and economic analysis of alternatives
• Preparation of technical documents including public disclosure documents for Mineral Resources and Reserves
• Provide feedback to geological and geotechnical modeling as necessary.
• Support both surface and underground facilities engineering
• Apply KoBold’s Project Management standards to manage all aspects of projects
• Work collaboratively across engineering disciplines and technical staff to develop the skills and procedures needed to effectively deliver mining engineering assignments
• Serve as an internal technical resource and provide guidance and mentorship to junior-level staff.
• Identify, develop, and follow through on value engineering opportunities
• Lead and manage service providers providing specialist technical inputs
• Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company resources and conduct and adhere to KoBold’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Qualifications and skills:

Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Engineering, or closely related discipline.

• Minimum of 15 years relevant post qualification experience in engineering with an emphasis on underground mine planning, design and scheduling.
• Experience working with multiple consultants within the mining industry.
• Familiarity with international mining standards - NI 43-101 and JORC
• Experience in early stage project development, managing project teams and engineering studies through hands-on experience with design work, project planning and management of technical/financial studies.
• Understand the roles and contribution of the other technical disciplines 
• Strong technical writing skills with experience writing technical reports.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and strategic planning skills
• Experience utilizing mine planning, design and scheduling software packages such as MineScape, MineSight 3D, Vulcan, Surpac, Deswik, Datamine, Gemcom, Mine 2-4D, and EPS
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing intricate ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by KoBold’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• The role will require travel to Mingomba and other KoBold project locations.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all people.

Location: Preference will be given to candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Finland, Sweden, or Botswana, though candidates in other locations may also be considered.

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.