Archive · 19 Sep 2025
Economics: The Key to Unlocking New Mineral Discoveries
Imagine you're looking for treasure underground, like finding copper.
Companies like Kobold use smart tools to find these treasures.
Instead of just guessing where to dig, they use economic ideas and computer models to understand what's hidden.
They look at all sorts of information, from old maps to new technology.
This helps them choose the best places to drill and find the most valuable things.
This way, they're smarter than just guessing, making it easier to find valuable resources.
Kobold Metals uses economic models and data analysis to explore for minerals.
The company's approach incorporates ancient maps, AI, and algorithms from statistical economics.
Kobold's approach aims to reduce risk in mineral exploration, which is typically a risky venture.
The economic approach is a recent development compared to other methods.
The company has discovered millions of tonnes of copper in Zambia.
- Who
- Kobold Metals
- What
- Using economics to explore for minerals
- When
- Ongoing; Kobold's recent discovery is the largest in a century.
- Where
- Zambia's Copperbelt province
- Why
- To reduce risk and uncertainty in mineral exploration, leading to increased discovery success rates and profits.
- Company
- Kobold Metals
- Location
- Zambia's Copperbelt province
- Backing
- Bill Gates
- Discovery
- Millions of tonnes of copper
- Technique
- Uses algorithms from statistical economics to model geological formations