Director of Mineral Processing
About the role
Director of Mineral Processing
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.
About the Role
The Mineral Processing Lead will contribute to and lead the development and execution of mineral processing strategy across KoBold’s portfolio, with an initial focus on the Mingomba copper project in Zambia. Reporting to the CTO, this role is responsible for all aspects of process engineering from early-stage metallurgical testwork through feasibility study design and operational readiness. You will define the flowsheet, drive geometallurgical characterization, evaluate processing routes (concentration, hydrometallurgy, smelting), and ensure that mineral processing considerations are integrated into mine planning and economic modeling from the earliest stages.
Responsibilities
Process Engineering & Flowsheet Development
- Own the process flowsheet design for Mingomba and future KoBold projects, from scoping through feasibility.
- Work hands on and with your team to define and manage metallurgical testwork programs: comminution characterization, flotation optimization, hydrometallurgical evaluation, and pilot-scale campaigns.
- Evaluate and recommend processing routes including froth flotation to concentrate, SX-EW, pressure oxidation, and smelter/refinery toll arrangements. Quantify the economic trade-offs of each.
- Develop process design criteria, mass and water balances, and equipment specifications for feasibility-level engineering.
- Lead the assessment of tailings characteristics, reprocessing potential, and environmental implications of process residues.
Geometallurgy & Integration
- Build and maintain a geometallurgical framework that links ore variability (mineralogy, texture, grade distribution) to processing performance with first principles and statistical models.
- Collaborate with geologists and data scientists to integrate geometallurgical statistics into resource models, mine schedules, and economic analyses.
- Define sampling protocols for metallurgical characterization at all stages of project development.