Field Operations Supervisor I, DRC

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. In the six years since founding, 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.