Senior Project Development Counsel

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 Role

This in-house project development attorney will be a key player in shaping and executing the procurement and contracting strategy for our Mingomba mine build and other projects around the world. Their work will directly support a global AI-driven clean-tech company in its mission to invent breakthrough technology, discover billions of dollars of minerals, and stop climate change.

Responsibilities

The Senior Project Development Counsel will:

• Be an integral part of an in-house legal team in a technology, mineral exploration and mine development company growing rapidly around the world
• Provide leverage and support to the CLO and DGC so that they are more effective at advancing the company’s priorities
• Build important parts of the Company’s legal function with a particular responsibility overseeing the legal work for the development and construction of major capital projects for the Company and owning the full range of global supply chain matters related to such projects
• Lead the drafting and negotiation of the entire suite of contracts for the Company’s Mingomba project in Zambia and other capital projects, from EPC/EPCM and major equipment supply to offtake, O&M, and the surrounding infrastructure agreements (power, water, rail, and port), using FIDIC-based and bespoke forms, developing owner-protective positions, and managing English-law and LCIA/ICC provisions.
• Negotiate with counterparties around the world, including global equipment suppliers and contractors, and state-owned utilities, railways, and ports
• Work with engineering, HSE, project management, community engagement and supply chain stakeholders to bring technical annexures, scope, specifications, site information, and project requirements into the contract documents so that the legal terms match the technical deliverables
• Work with the Company’s project finance team and lenders’ counsel on the bankability of EPC and procurement terms, including direct agreements and lender step-in rights
• Keep a pulse on the rapidly-changing context for the Company’s business and engage constantly with people throughout the Company to be able to make good business judgments that enable the Company to accomplish its business objectives
• Have many opportunities to be involved in other areas as the Company and its legal functions grow, including project finance, import-export, broader compliance, and corporate matters
• Work on whatever needs to be done 

Qualifications

• 15-20+ years post-qualification, with substantial recent owner-side experience on large capital projects (mining, oil and gas, LNG, power, or heavy infrastructure)
• Law degree and active admission to practice in England; admission to practice in a U.S. state or another common-law jurisdiction may be considered 
• Strong desire and ability to provide leverage, support, and partnership to the CLO and DGC
• Strong drafting and negotiation experience across most of the following: EPC / EPCM / lump-sum turnkey (FIDIC Silver/Yellow and bespoke forms), major equipment procurement and supply, O&M agreements, offtake agreements, and infrastructure agreements (PPAs, water supply, rail and port access, concessions)
• Experience working with international counterparties and operations (and agreements in global jurisdictions), including state-owned enterprises
• Interest in working in a company that requires high levels of collaboration and communication among teammates working remotely across many time zones and continents (including ET, London, Perth, and Zambia)
• Strong ability to learn new tools and an optimistic attitude toward work, people, and solving difficult problems of first instance
• Interest in working in a science-based company where most colleagues are scientists and science is the focus of many company meetings and documents
• A high degree of independence and ability to drive processes forward with little supervision
• Ability and desire to travel periodically, including to Zambia and elsewhere as the Mingomba project and other projects require

It is helpful but not required to have:

• Experience in mining or mineral exploration or adjacent energy sector like oil and gas
• Prior work in Zambia, DRC, or the wider Copperbelt; familiarity with the Lobito Atlantic Railway or Dar es Salaam/Walvis Bay logistics corridors
• Project finance lender-side interface experience (direct agreements, lender step-in, bankability of EPC terms)
• Mandarin language skills
• French language skills

This position is full-time.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $250,000-$290,000, plus equity and benefits.

Location: Fully remote. London strongly preferred; U.S. East Coast also possible. Must be authorized to work in the jurisdiction of residence. The manager for this role is located in the U.S. (East Coast).

Travel: Travel to Zambia as the project requires, and interest in engaging with suppliers globally.

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, disability, or veteran status.