We Are Project Generators
Our Mission
To generate high quality critical and industrial mineral projects in the United States.
Our Values
Integrity: We do the right thing for ourselves and our partners.
Transparency: We believe in being open and honest in our business dealings. We’re in it for long-term success.
About Western Cobalt, LLC
Western Cobalt, LLC is a project generation and development company focused on identifying and advancing high-value mineral opportunities across North America. Built on decades of international mining experience, the company unites technical excellence with entrepreneurial vision to meet the growing demand for sustainable, domestically sourced materials.
A Team of Industry Leaders
The company is guided by a distinguished leadership team whose combined expertise spans every corner of the global mining industry.
Robert W. (Bob) Schafer, former President of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) and the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), brings over 40 years of international exploration experience and leadership with major firms including BHP and Kinross Gold.
Edward F. (Ted) Posey, founding President of Lundin Mining, helped shape the company’s transformation into a major international producer through key discoveries and acquisitions across Europe.
Stuart and Crystal Burgess, Co-Founders of Burgex Mining Consultants, add deep experience in mineral economics, exploration strategy, and market analysis. Through Burgex, they have delivered thousands of exploration projects and developed innovative tools such as Mineralocity, a GIS-powered platform transforming how market intelligence and land research are conducted in the mining sector.
Together, the Western Cobalt team blends global exploration success with a modern, data-driven approach to project generation.
Strategic Focus
Western Cobalt focuses on projects that align with the global shift toward sustainability and supply chain resilience. The company’s current priorities include two key areas:
Natural Pozzolans for Cement and Concrete
The cement and concrete industries are undergoing a transformation as producers work to lower carbon emissions and reduce reliance on traditional Portland cement. Natural pozzolans—siliceous volcanic materials that enhance concrete performance and durability—are emerging as a vital solution. However, domestic sources of these materials remain underexplored and underdeveloped. Western Cobalt is working to identify, evaluate, and advance natural pozzolan deposits across the western United States, partnering with producers to strengthen the North American supply chain and reduce carbon intensity in construction.Critical and Strategic Metals, Including Tungsten
Tungsten is one of the most important industrial metals, essential for applications ranging from aerospace and defense to manufacturing and electronics. With the United States currently dependent on imports for the majority of its supply, new domestic sources are critical to ensuring long-term industrial and national security. Western Cobalt is actively generating and advancing tungsten projects in geologically prospective regions, applying modern exploration techniques to rediscover and develop these essential resources.
A Smarter Approach to Resource Development
As a project generator, Western Cobalt focuses on discovery and early-stage development—identifying undervalued or overlooked assets, conducting initial exploration and de-risking, and then vending these projects to partners best equipped for production. This model allows the company to remain nimble, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and create value across multiple commodities and jurisdictions.
Through its technical insight, trusted relationships, and forward-looking strategy, Western Cobalt is helping shape the next generation of North American mineral development—one that is sustainable, strategic, and essential to the industries of the future.
Meet the Team
Robert W. Schafer is a Registered Professional Geologist with +40 years international experience exploring for mineral deposits and identifying, evaluating and structuring business transactions globally having worked in more than 80 countries on all continents. Mr. Schafer led exploration teams in generative exploration and evaluation of early business opportunities for BHP in 1992-1996. While Vice President, Exploration for Kinross Gold he was responsible for near mine and regional exploration globally. As Executive Vice President of the Hunter Dickinson Group, he led due diligence teams globally, including evaluations in Russia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, West and Southern Africa, India, Mongolia, Australia and many countries in South America. He is Corporate Director, working with companies around the world, including Russia, Southern and Central Africa, Central Asia, the Americas and Scandinavia.
Mr. Schafer is an active member of several professional mining associations, including the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME – President 2020-2021), the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC – President 2015-2016), the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CIM – President 2013-2014) and the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America (MMSA – President 2005-20066). He was a member of the Board of Governors for the US National Mining Hall of Fame and the Board of Directors of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. He is the first person to hold such leadership roles in both the USA and Canada.
Mr. Schafer is the recipient of the William Lawrence Saunders Gold Medal from AIME, as well as the Daniel C. Jackling Award, Ben Dickerson Award and Robert A. Dreyer Award from SME for technical achievements, ethical business practices and leadership in the mining industry during his career. He is a Fellow of SME, CIM and SEG. He earned his BSc and MSc degrees in Geology and in Mineral Economics and completed studies toward a PhD in Economic Geology. In addition, he completed the Executive Management program at Stanford University. Mr. Schafer is a Certified Corporate Director (ICD.D) and a Registered Professional Geologist in the States of Wyoming and Utah. He is founder and CEO of Eagle Mines Management and is a member of the Board of Directors of select mining companies.
Edward F. (Ted) Posey is an exploration geophysicist and seasoned executive with +40 years of experience in the international mining industry. As President and CEO of Lundin Mining Corporation, Mr. Posey led the company through a pivotal period of growth, transforming it into a major international base metals producer and one of the world’s leading zinc producers. His tenure was marked by the discovery and rapid development of the Storliden copper-zinc deposit in Sweden and the strategic acquisitions of the historic Zinkgruvan mine in Sweden and the Galmoy zinc mine in Ireland through a merger with ARCON International Resources.
Throughout his career, Mr. Posey has held numerous senior leadership positions. He served as President and CEO of Atacama Minerals from 2005 to 2010, Chief Executive Officer of Arcland Resources Inc. from 2021 to 2023, and was appointed President and Director of South Atlantic Diamonds in 1996. Following his successful tenure at Lundin Mining, he continued to lend his expertise to the Lundin Group on an advisory basis, focusing on key exploration projects.
Mr. Posey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysics from the University of Utah. His foundational experience includes work with exploration firms such as Cortex Mining & Exploration Co. in Salt Lake City, Utah, which provided the basis for his distinguished career in mineral exploration and corporate development.
Stuart Burgess is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Burgex Inc., with nearly two decades of experience in the mineral exploration and mining industry. Through his work with Burgex, Mojave Underground, and other industry ventures, he has gained extensive expertise by assisting on hundreds of mining projects across a diverse range of commodities, from precious metals to industrial minerals. Mr. Burgess co-founded and grew Burgex into a premier mining consulting firm that delivers risk analysis, feasibility studies, market analysis, and mineral exploration services to clients worldwide.
As an recognized thought leader, Mr. Burgess has brought significant innovation to the mining industry. He pioneered and led the development of the Mineralocity platform, a cutting-edge GIS tool that integrates market intelligence and land research for the construction aggregates sector. In addition to his entrepreneurial work, he serves as a trusted advisor for the boards of private and public mining companies and has consulted for government agencies at state and federal levels, providing key mineral and economic insights.
Mr. Burgess is noted for his ability to lead high-performing teams, develop strategic partnerships, and leverage data-driven strategies to solve complex challenges. He is also a passionate advocate for reclamation and the future of sustainable post-mining land use. His focus is on sharing insights, trends, and innovative solutions to drive meaningful conversations about the future of the mining and aggregates industries.
Crystal Burgess is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Burgex Mining Consultants, a leading firm specializing in mineral exploration and construction aggregate market studies. With over 15 years of industry experience, she has played a pivotal role in the company’s success. Under her leadership, Burgex has completed work on over 3,500 mining projects, staking more than 20,000 mineral claims. Ms. Burgess directs a cross-functional team of geologists, engineers, analysts, and administrative professionals to deliver high-impact solutions for clients, from initial exploration up to mining operations.
Ms. Burgess has been instrumental in guiding Burgex’s strategic growth, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for complex mining challenges. A results-driven leader, she successfully expanded the firm’s service offerings to include project management and market analysis reports. She fosters a corporate culture defined by transparency, collaboration, and accountability, ensuring a commitment to continuous improvement and excellence on every project while cultivating positive, long-term client relations.
In addition to her executive leadership, Ms. Burgess possesses deep expertise in marketing and communications. She is highly skilled in graphic design, advertising, and content creation, which she utilizes to enhance the company’s industry presence. As the primary writer for the firm’s key publications—including the Burgex Quarterly and Mineralocity newsletters—she ensures that all communications provide consistent and valuable insights to clients and industry partners.