Field Operations Supervisor I
About the Company
The mining industry has steadily become worse at finding new ore deposits, requiring >10X more capital to make discoveries compared to 30 years ago. The easy-to-find, near-surface deposits have largely been found, and the industry has chronically under-invested in new exploration technology, relying on the manual techniques of yesteryear – even as demand accelerates for copper, lithium, and other metals to build electric vehicles, renewable energy, and data centers.
KoBold builds AI models for mineral exploration and deploys those models—alongside our novel sensors—to guide decisions on KoBold-owned-and-operated exploration programs. Since our founding in 2018, KoBold has become by far both the largest independent mineral exploration company and the largest exploration technology developer. Our data scientists and software engineers, who come from leading technology companies, jointly lead exploration programs with our renowned exploration geologists.
KoBold has proven its first discovery with materially less capital than the industry average and found one of the best copper deposits ever discovered: the copper is far more concentrated than the global average of copper mines, and this asset alone is expected to generate meaningful revenue for decades. KoBold has a portfolio of more than 60 other projects, each of which has the potential for another high-quality 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 natural resources companies Equinor, BHP, and Mitsubishi.
About the Role
In the role of Field Operations Supervisor I, you will support the planning and execution of our field activities in the DRC 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 Field Operations Lead or Manager, DRC and also work closely with other members of the operations and exploration team. Your primary responsibility will be to provide on-the-ground operational support for exploration programs in the Manono region and potentially other DRC project sites.
This is a foundational role within KoBold’s Field Operations team, designed for professionals who are early in their careers and eager to develop the specialized skills required to plan and execute complex exploration programs. You will gain exposure to a diverse range of field operations—from drilling campaigns and geophysical surveys to camp management and civil works—while building the judgment, technical knowledge, and collaborative instincts that define a successful Field Operations professional at KoBold.
Responsibilities
Plan
- Support planning of lower-complexity projects (all-weather access, lower risk, lower spend profile) under the direction of senior Field Operations staff
- Assist in the development of project scopes, cost estimates, risk assessments, and procurement activities
- Participate in project kick-offs with integrated teams and contractors, contributing to scope definition, execution strategy, and risk management discussions
- Assist in AFE drafting in collaboration with KoBold’s science teams
Support
- Participate in contractor inductions, ensuring alignment with KoBold’s safety and operational standards
- Support day-to-day operations: assist with daily safety meetings, risk assessments, incident management, and contractor performance monitoring
- Follow established safe work practices and ensure adherence by contractors and field personnel
- Provide daily reports including safety, cost, and production updates to the Field Operations Lead or Manager
- Understand and participate in Emergency Response Plan activities including mock exercises and reporting
Close
- Assist in project close-out activities, including site remediation and rehabilitation per applicable DRC regulatory standards
- Contribute to lessons learned reviews covering safety, quality, cost, and schedule performance
Develop
- Build foundational understanding of exploration operations, logistics, and safety
- Think critically about day-to-day field activities and ask questions to deepen understanding of how individual tasks support broader project objectives
- Seek out opportunities to learn from science team members, including Geologists and Data Scientists
Compliance and Stakeholder Engagement
- Support execution within regulatory compliance, monitoring, and reporting in accordance with applicable DRC mining, environmental, and land use legislation (including the Mining Code and Mining Regulations), and the practices of our joint venture partners
- Ensure execution is done within applicable permitting processes, land access agreements, community relations, and third-party agreements
- Participate respectfully in community interactions, listen actively, and follow established protocols for community contact
- With leadership direction and support, assist in representing KoBold Metals with local DRC stakeholders, including communities, landowners, and local authorities
Qualifications
Required
- 0–5 years of experience in field operations in mineral exploration and mining, oil and gas, civil construction, or a related industry; recent graduates with relevant coursework or internship experience will be considered
- Relevant field experience or coursework in project management, natural resources, mineral exploration, geology, or comparable practical experience
- Understanding of project management basics (scope, cost, schedule, risk)
- Developing foundational knowledge of field operations including cost estimating, scheduling, and risk assessment
- Basic understanding of dry, wet, and frozen construction methods and equipment requirements, as applicable
- Basic understanding of helicopter-supported exploration operations, as applicable
- Basic understanding of environmental and regulatory compliance requirements
- Familiarity with standard field equipment, communication systems, and safety procedures
- Basic proficiency in GIS including field GPS
- Developing capability to work safely in remote or difficult areas
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work in remote and isolated locations for extended periods of time, including the Manono region and other DRC project sites
- Must speak, read, and write in French and English; additional language skills (including Swahili or other local languages) are of significant benefit
- Valid First Aid Certification (or willingness to obtain; Level 3 or Wilderness First Aid preferred)
- Demonstrated positive safety attitude and commitment to health and safety standards
Preferred
- Experience working in Central or Sub-Saharan Africa
- Experience with logistics tied to remote operations, including helicopter, camp, and drilling operations
- Familiarity with DRC regulatory frameworks governing exploration operations
- Experience working on exploration projects with integrated science teams including Geologists and Data Scientists
- Experience with contractor management and field reporting
- Familiarity with common field hazards and mitigations in tropical and remote environments
- Good computer skills including familiarity with reporting tools and field data systems
What We Value
- Eagerness to learn and contribute across all aspects of field operations
- Alignment with KoBold’s mission and ethical standards
- Respectful engagement with colleagues, contractors, and community members
- Openness to constructive feedback and willingness to develop new skills
- Willingness to collaborate with and learn from science team members, including Geologists and Data Scientists
- Effective communication with team members across Geology, Data Science, HSE, Aviation, Legal, Community Relations, and Land and Permitting
- Perpetuating KoBold’s ethical standards through your own actions and in communicating with others
- Recognizing and elevating the team’s contributions, both in the field and to leadership, reinforcing a culture where strong work is visible and valued
- Adapting to the demands of field rotations—irregular schedules, isolation, and physical discomfort—with a positive attitude
- Interest in contributing broadly to the success of the company and eagerness to pitch in where needed
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.
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.
Location: KoBold is a remote-first workplace. This role is based in the DRC. All candidates should be legally authorized to work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, preference will be given to Manono based candidates.
