Legal Counsel

About the Company:

In the coming decades, our world needs far more critical minerals including copper, lithium, and cobalt, to build electric infrastructure, vehicles, data centers, and electronics. 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 is the leading scientific 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.

Overview:

As the Deputy General Counsel, you will be responsible for developing the Legal Department and ensuring efficient and effective provision of legal services to the Company, as well as legal compliance and minimizing legal risk exposure to the Company.

 Job Responsibilities and Duties:

• Play a leading role in developing the Legal Department in one of Zambia’s top mineral exploration and mining companies, as we scale up to run exploration programs throughout Zambia and open a world-class mine
• Develop the company’s legal functions, including but not limited to contract drafting and management, legal entity management, employment matters, compliance with laws and contracts, and many other areas as the company’s legal functions grow;
• Create processes and policies to help build a high-functioning legal department;
• Hire and supervise outside counsel across many subject areas and jurisdictions;
• Represent the company in negotiations in Zambia and Southern Africa; 
• Review, draft, and advise on complex transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions;
• Lead due diligence efforts when the company is conducting diligence about an opportunity and when we are responding to diligence requests;
• Provide immediate legal and business advice to internal clients (i.e. senior executives,  Finance, HR, CSR, Corporate Communications etc);
• Write, revise, and review documents regarding every part of the business;
• Guide and support the company’s global business operations using legal and business skills, such as management of confidential information, tax structuring, and building organizational processes;
• Work across the company to set and meet high standards of ethics, with a focus on safety, anti-corruption, community support, environmental protection, anti-discrimination, and integrity;
• Provide leverage and support to the Chief Legal Officer so that they are more effective at advancing the company’s priorities;
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer.

Qualifications and skills:

• At least 10 years of experience in legal role function in corporate organizations or private practice;
• Experience providing legal service to one of the top corporations in Zambia (for example, a leading bank, mining company, or other leading corporation with the highest standards);
• Experience leading teams of attorneys and staff;
• Degree in law from a recognized university;
• Masters would be an added advantage;
• Member of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) with valid current practicing certificate;
• Demonstrated understanding of Corporate Law, Mining Law, Employment law and other relevant legislation pertaining to the operations of the business;
• Excellent interpersonal relations and communication skills;
• Must demonstrate high integrity and ethical practice; and
• Strong communication skills both oral and written and excellent presentation skills.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities for all people.

This position is full-time.

Location: KoBold Metals Zambia corporate headquarters, Lusaka, Zambia. Locations on the Copperbelt and remote roles will also be considered.

At this time, we are only accepting applications from Zambian nationals.

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.