About the role#
Kunin works to recover critical metals from discarded resources like mine tailings, process liquors, and industrial by-products. As a Commercial Intern, you will work directly with the CEO to determine the economic viability of these resources. You will spend the summer building a pipeline of candidate projects, securing samples from industry partners, and creating models that guide our business decisions. This role is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the summer of 2027.
What you'll do#
- Identify and screen mines, refineries, and industrial waste streams to maintain our resource database.
- Contact resource owners to arrange site visits and sample shipments while logging assay results and chain of custody data.
- Build project cash-flow models that account for capital costs, operating expenses, revenue, and sensitivities.
- Estimate costs for labor, energy, equipment, and reagents per metric ton of feed and per kilogram of metal recovered.
- Collaborate with the engineering team on mass balances.
- Create briefing materials and one-page project summaries for customer and partner meetings.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program for chemical engineering, finance, economics, mining engineering, metallurgy, or a related field.
- Expected graduation in 2027 or 2028.
- Proficiency in Excel for financial and process modeling.
- Experience or comfort with unit conversions and mass balances.
- Ability to cold-contact industry partners to secure data and samples.
- Clear writing skills and a self-driven approach to completing tasks.
- Exposure to commodity markets, hydrometallurgy, or mineral processing is a plus.
Location & details#
- This position is located on-site in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- The internship lasts approximately 12 weeks during the summer of 2027.
- The role requires occasional domestic travel for site visits.
- You may work extended hours during critical project phases.
- This is a paid, full-time position.
- We do not offer visa sponsorship.
About Kunin
Kunin develops metal recovery projects for mines, smelters, and refineries. The company uses ion exchange systems to extract elements like copper, germanium, and gallium from process streams. It partners with resource operators to build byproduct circuits. Founded in 2024, the business is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and employs seven people.
How to get in at Kunin
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