KoBold Metals
KoBold Metals is an AI-driven mineral exploration and development company that uses proprietary sensors, centralized geoscience databases, and predictive models to discover copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel deposits. It operates via joint ventures with governments and mining majors, with its flagship Mingomba copper mine under construction in Zambia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KoBold Metals does
KoBold Metals is a Berkeley-headquartered, Delaware-incorporated scientific mineral exploration and development company founded in 2018 by Kurt House, Josh Goldman, and Jeff Jurinak. The firm applies an integrated AI + human intelligence (HI) workflow—proprietary sensors (Hyperpod for hyperspectral/LiDAR capture at 10x industry speed, Korecam360 for rig-side core photography), a centralized multilingual geoscience data system, and predictive models with quantified uncertainty—to discover and delineate deposits of copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel essential to electric vehicles and renewable energy. KoBold describes itself as one of the top three exploration groups worldwide and the largest investor in exploration R&D.
The business model is asset-heavy and partnership-centric rather than SaaS. KoBold runs exploration programs on 100%-owned projects and via earn-in/joint-venture structures with state vehicles (ZCCM-IH in Zambia), mining majors (BHP Ventures, Rio Tinto), and junior developers (Tertiary Minerals, Libra Energy Materials, AVZ Minerals). Revenue, where it exists, derives from JV contributions and technology deployment rather than licensing SaaS fees, and pricing is not publicly disclosed. The flagship asset is the Mingomba copper project in Zambia's Copperbelt—one of the best copper deposits ever found, with a planned $2.3B+ capex, 300,000+ tonnes/year target production, and shaft construction formally launched with ZCCM-IH in April 2026. KoBold simultaneously operates exploration across Canada (Québec), Finland, Australia, Greenland, and—since 2025—an expanded Africa footprint including a 13-license, 3,000+ sq km lithium campaign in the DRC's Manono region and a national geological data digitization agreement with Burundi.
KoBold is privately held and venture-capital-backed by a syndicate including Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates), Jeff Bezos, Andreessen Horowitz, Durable Capital Partners, T. Rowe Price, Sam Altman, BHP Ventures, Mitsubishi Corporation, Equinor, CPP Investments, Apollo, Bond Capital, Earthshot Ventures, July Fund, Standard Investments, and StepStone Group. Cumulative disclosed funding exceeds $1.2 billion, headcount is reported in the 101–250 range globally with 200+ Zambian employees, and the most recent Series C (January 2025) implied a $2.96B post-money valuation. The company does not yet operate producing mines—first copper output from Mingomba is targeted for the early 2030s—so current revenue is immaterial relative to the capex runway being built.
KoBold Metals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KoBold Metals
- Legal name
- KoBold Metals Company
- Website
- https://www.koboldmetals.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- KoBold Metals is an AI-driven mineral exploration and development company that uses proprietary sensors, centralized geoscience databases, and predictive models to discover copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel deposits. It operates via joint ventures with governments and mining majors, with its flagship Mingomba copper mine under construction in Zambia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KoBold Metals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Critical Mineral Exploration Services
- NAICS
- Other Metal Ore Mining (212290), Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining (212230)
- SIC
- Metal Mining (1000), Miscellaneous Metal Ores (1090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Exploration & Resource Development (Critical Minerals) (IMAKAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mine Development & Processing EPC (Critical Minerals) (IMAKAFAM)
Keywords
Where KoBold Metals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
KoBold Metals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Mineral Exploration and Development: KoBold discovers critical mineral deposits using AI and develops them into producing mines, either independently or through joint ventures with traditional mining companies. The company does not plan to operate mines directly but aims to assist traditional mining companies with AI-driven resource discovery and development.
- Joint Venture Partnerships: KoBold enters into earn-in agreements and joint ventures with other mining companies, where KoBold provides exploration technology and funding in exchange for equity in discoveries.
- Technology Licensing: KoBold deploys its proprietary AI technology to assist partner mining companies with resource discovery, potentially generating licensing or service fees.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
KoBold Metals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KoBold Metals is a scientific mineral exploration and development company that combines AI and human expertise (HI) to discover and develop deposits of critical minerals such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The company uses proprietary sensors, centralized geoscience data systems, and predictive models to make mineral discoveries faster than traditional methods, then develops these discoveries into producing mines through 100% owned projects and joint ventures with traditional mining companies and host country governments.
Product overview
KoBold Metals is a scientific mineral exploration and development company that combines AI and human intelligence (HI) to discover critical minerals (copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel) faster than traditional methods. The company's core offering is its AI-driven exploration technology platform, which includes proprietary hardware (Hyperpod, Korecam360), centralized geoscience data systems, and predictive models. The flagship development project is the Mingomba copper mine in Zambia, while exploration operations span Canada (Québec), Finland, DRC, and other regions globally. The company operates through both 100% KoBold-owned projects and joint ventures.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AI-Driven Mineral Exploration Platform Proprietary exploration technology combining novel sensors (Hyperpod, Korecam360), centralized geoscience data systems, and predictive models to make mineral discoveries faster than traditional methods. Deployed via joint ventures with mining companies and partnerships with governments to identify deposits of copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
- Mingomba Copper Project Flagship copper development project in Zambia's Copperbelt being developed in joint venture with ZCCM-IH (Zambian state mining investment company), with targeted annual production of approximately 300,000 metric tonnes of copper once operational in the early 2030s. One of the world's best copper deposits discovered through KoBold's AI-driven exploration.
- DRC Lithium Exploration Program The world's largest lithium exploration campaign covering 13 licenses across more than 3,000 square kilometers in southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Manono region). KoBold has committed over $50 million through early 2027 for lithium and critical minerals exploration in partnership with the DRC government.
- Finland Exploration Projects Exploration permits in Sodankylä, Savukoski, and surrounding regions in Finland for critical minerals including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper. Permit areas include Sodankylov, Taiga, Aurion, Magnus, Maj, Mat, and Matalikko.
- Québec Exploration Projects Exploration permits covering Baie James, Côte-Nord, and Nunavik regions in Quebec, Canada, focused on lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper exploration. Includes a CAD $33 million earn-in agreement with Libra Energy Materials covering the Flanders North, Flanders South, and SBC lithium projects in Ontario.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20-30% reduction in discovery timelines compared to traditional methods
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use KoBold Metals
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KoBold Metals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature4 records
KoBold Metals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, strategic and core.
- Libra Energy MaterialsminorCAD $33 million earn-in agreement where KoBold is exploring Libra's Ontario projects (Flanders North, Flanders South, SBC) in Canada. KoBold made final option payment for SBC lithium project acquisition.
- Government of BurundistrategicAgreement signed in Washington DC with Burundi's government to digitize the country's geological data and identify new mineral deposits using AI. All data to be made publicly available to attract investors.
- Lifezone MetalsstrategicNYSE-listed company that separately secured an exclusivity deal with Burundi for exploration of the country's nickel belt and rare earth project. Both companies signed agreements with Burundi government.
- AVZ MineralsstrategicFramework agreement for KoBold to acquire AVZ's interests in the Manono lithium deposit in DRC, with involvement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Félix Tshisekedi.
- Democratic Republic of Congo GovernmentcoreKoBold signed mineral exploration agreement with DRC government for the largest lithium exploration campaign in history, covering 13 licenses in southeastern DRC. The company has committed over $50 million through early 2027.
- Africa Finance CorporationstrategicKoBold signed MOU with Africa Finance Corporation committing to anchor the commercial viability of the Zambia-Lobito rail project with over 300,000 tons of copper per year from Mingomba mine.
- ZCCM-IH (Zambia)coreJoint venture partnership with Zambia's state-owned mining investment company for development of the Mingomba copper project. KoBold and ZCCM-IH officially broke ground on shaft construction in April 2026. This represents KoBold's flagship project and the single largest private investment in Zambia's history.
- Rio TintostrategicKoBold has partnered with Rio Tinto for exploration activities. Rio Tinto is one of the world's largest mining companies.
- Tertiary MineralsminorJoint venture at Konkola West Project in Zambia where KoBold completed Stage 1 earn-in. Tertiary Minerals is advancing the Mushima North Copper-Silver-Zinc Project.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
KoBold Metals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KoBold Metals social profiles
Digital presenceKoBold Metals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KoBold Metals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
KoBold Metals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KoBold Metals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KoBold Metals
What does KoBold Metals do?
KoBold Metals is a scientific mineral exploration and development company that combines AI and human expertise (HI) to discover and develop deposits of critical minerals such as copper, lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The company uses proprietary sensors, centralized geoscience data systems, and predictive models to make mineral discoveries faster than traditional methods, then develops these discoveries into producing mines through 100% owned projects and joint ventures with traditional mining companies and host country governments.
Is KoBold Metals a public or private company?
KoBold Metals is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was KoBold Metals founded?
KoBold Metals was founded in 2018. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is KoBold Metals based?
KoBold Metals is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does KoBold Metals make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Mineral Exploration and Development is the primary driver. The others are joint Venture Partnerships and technology Licensing.
Does KoBold Metals have an API?
No public API is recorded for KoBold Metals.
What industry is KoBold Metals in?
KoBold Metals's product category is Critical Mineral Exploration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAFAL, Exploration & Resource Development (Critical Minerals), with a secondary code of IMAKAFAM, Mine Development & Processing EPC (Critical Minerals). Its NAICS code is 212290 and its SIC code is 1000.