KoBold Metals

KoBold Metals is a private, technology-driven mineral exploration company focused on discovering and developing critical battery metals like cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), lithium (Li), and copper (Cu). Their mission is to accelerate the clean energy transition by solving the mineral supply chain bottleneck with cutting-edge science and artificial intelligence.

What KoBold Does:

• Annual Investment: Over $100 million is invested yearly across 70+ exploration projects spanning 5 continents.

• Technology Leadership: KoBold runs the largest exploration R&D initiative globally, integrating AI, geoscience, and hardware innovations.

Core Scientific Approach:

KoBold’s strategy centers on turning mineral exploration into a repeatable science, using three foundational pillars:

1. Geo-Science: Their geoscientists have played major roles in significant mineral discoveries in recent decades.

2. Comprehensive Data Aggregation: They compile extensive data on Earth’s crust, including geological, geochemical, and geophysical information.

3. Artificial Intelligence: KoBold uses a proprietary AI framework based on “Efficacy of Information (EOI)” to identify what data to gather next to reduce exploration uncertainty most effectively.

Unique Exploration Philosophy:

• The mineral exploration industry is plagued by information gaps and high costs.

• KoBold believes that most near-surface deposits have already been found; future discoveries lie deeper underground and require innovative, data-driven techniques.

Ethics & Values:

• KoBold emphasizes ethical exploration, with a commitment to safety, integrity, environmental stewardship, and community respect.

Key Investors:

KoBold is backed by a group of prominent long-term investors, including:

• Breakthrough Energy Ventures (founded by Bill Gates)

• Andreessen Horowitz

• Equinor

• CPP Investments

• Bond Capital

• Standard Investments

• BHP

• Mitsubishi

• Apollo

• July Fund

• Earthshot Ventures

Global Presence:

KoBold has active projects in places like Zambia, Canada, and many other regions, all supported by partnerships and data-sharing agreements with local and international stakeholders.