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In this episode we speak to Simon Catt, Director at Arlington Group and Founder of Catt Call as we take a closer look at some of the investment themes currently shaping the mining sector. We discuss the growing importance of US government funding for critical minerals, including the Springer Tungsten project in Nevada, and whether US-based projects now deserve a valuation premium. We also turn to Nevada’s gold and silver sector, looking at companies including Hycroft, Mackay and StrikePoint, before moving on to tin, Metals X and why this often-overlooked commodity could become increasingly important.  And finally, we ask the bigger question: where are we today in Commodity Supercycle 2.0? KEY TAKEAWAYS Driven by massive capital expenditure in AI and compute data centers, this commodity cycle demands unprecedented supplies of "energy metals" like silver, copper, and tin, alongside defense-critical elements like tungsten. Blue Moon’s integration into the U.S. defense supply chain alongside Elmet highlights the powerful valuation premium awarded to strategic domestic assets backed by government funding. Nevada continues to anchor North American precious metals production, offering major upside through high-grade exploration, asset consolidation, and potential corporate restructurings from majors like Barrick. Critical structural deficits and rapid electrification trends suggest that gold, silver, copper, and tin remain in the earlier, high-potential phases of their multi-year supercycle BEST MOMENTS "This cycle, of course, is driven by the commodity of the age, which is the tokens we use in our large language models, our AI... What AI needs is it needs energy metals and it needs energy." “How do you get access to the biggest pool of money on Earth, the United States government? And I think the answer is to work out what the United States government wants and needs." "We’re going to see price discovery in the East for the first time in generations... it will be in China and it’ll be physical price discovery." "Tin has also been a good conductor, it's rust-proof, and it's malleable, which makes it really good for putting in those circuit boards that we need for all of the compute power in the AI data centers." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@CattCalls# Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0Q6k9rcR3zr8qwVHBry1kP Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catt-calls-no-fear-finance/id1896925377 X https://x.com/CattCalls Websites https://www.cattcalls.com https://www.agam.co.uk/ Follow up info email to use in description: info@agam.co.uk  Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Don Swartz, CEO and President of Rare Earths Americas, a company advancing a portfolio of rare earth projects across Brazil and the United States. We discuss the recent discoveries and heavy rare earth potential at Homer-A, the scale and development plans for Alpha in Brazil, and the emerging Foothills Rare Earths District in Georgia. Don also gives us his perspective on why mineralogy matters more than headline grade, the challenges of building a Western rare earth supply chain, and why critical minerals represent a decades-long industrial challenge that the West is now trying to solve in just a few years. KEY TAKEAWAYS Deposit style and metallurgy matter far more than headline grades, as conventional flowsheets like ionic clays and monazite deliver saleable concentrates at a fraction of the capital expenditure of bespoke hard-rock projects. While light rare earth processing has expanded, the Western supply chain faces an acute shortage of heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium, driving significant ex-China price premiums. Benefiting from advanced mining frameworks, clean hydroelectric power, and rich ionic clay deposits, Brazil is poised to become the premier global hub for rare earth production outside Asia. Revitalising the Western critical minerals industry is fundamentally constrained by a shortage of technical talent and mining engineering expertise rather than just access to capital. BEST MOMENTS "I always say that you should watch how explorers vote, because it's usually with drill rigs."  "If you fast forward to 5, 10, 15 years from now, Brazil will undoubtedly be the epicenter of ex-China, ex-Southeast Asia rare earth production."  "There's a lot of processors now that have moved, but what the West has not solved is where the heavies will come from."  "You think about how many lawyers the United States graduates in a year versus how many mining engineers... The amount of skill, know-how, and developing these projects starts with the people." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://rareearthsamericas.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/rare-earths-americas/home CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we speak to Jamie Airnes, CEO of Cornish Lithium, a pioneering mineral extraction company focused on extracting lithium from hard rock and geothermal waters in Cornwall, in the UK. The company that is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and they appeared within the first few episode of starting this podcast in 2018 when the business was still very much an exploration story. So 10 years on, it’s developing two different routes to extracting lithium from Cornwall, from hard rock and geothermal waters, as it looks to establish a domestic source of this increasingly important critical mineral for the UK. Jamie joins us to discuss how far the company has come, the technology behind its two extraction routes, finding the skills and people needed to build a new UK lithium industry and what differentiates its approach from other lithium projects. We’ll also look at why domestic lithium production matters to the UK, what support is needed from Government, and where Jamie sees Cornish Lithium and the wider UK mining industry over the next 5-10 years from now. KEY TAKEAWAYS Cornish Lithium is taking a dual-track approach by developing both hard-rock extraction at Trelavour and direct lithium extraction from geothermal brines across Cornwall. The company’s patented "Lepidico" (L-Max/L-OH / now Licontrol) hydrometallurgical processing enables more efficient, lower-energy lithium refining with reduced water use and minimal waste. Developing domestic supply is essential to meet the UK government’s mandate of 50,000 tonnes per year by 2035, helping end complete reliance on foreign imports and mitigating global price volatility. Retaining regional mining talent and collaborating with educational institutions and government are vital to scaling the workforce and delivering a projected £5 billion economic impact to Cornwall. BEST MOMENTS "The reality is, it's very very similar in many many ways... The subsurface is really important. It’s really important to understand your subsurface in any project, any development project." "We have an insatiable demand for electrification, whether it's in the handheld devices that we use, whether it's in electric cars or BESS... Today we produce zero, and I'm a firm believer that where we have the opportunity to do so, we should be producing our own." "The supply and demand curves just now are acutely balanced, and they are subject to potential manipulation or indeed manipulation... China controls about 70% of the global supply chain." "Price certainty is really important, and we need the government to stand up, to recognise the challenge, and to work with industry and with Cornish Lithium to provide a solution that stands up our projects and stands up our industry." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/cornishlithium Website: https://cornishlithium.com/ Email: info@cornishlithium.com Social media:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/17936814/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cornishlithium/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cornish_lithium X: https://x.com/CornishLithium TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cornishlithium YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cornishlithium8136 CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat to Nick Davis from Haynes Boone, a leading adviser to AIM-listed mining and natural resources companies. We discuss what mining companies need to get right when accessing the public markets, how geopolitics and critical minerals are changing the investment landscape, and why AIM continues to play an important role in funding growth-stage mining companies. Nick also shares lessons the mining sector can learn from other industries and what management teams should be focusing on to attract capital and create long-term value.  KEY TAKEAWAYS AIM Market Regulatory Shift: Recent rule updates have streamlined listing requirements in London, making AIM an increasingly attractive platform for dual-listed growth-stage mining companies. Geopolitics & Critical Minerals: Supply chain security and defense demands—particularly around metals like tungsten, lithium, and copper—are bringing Western governments directly into project funding via debt, equity, and offtake support. Blended Financing Structures: Public equity remains central, but modern junior and mid-cap miners are increasingly combining equity with government grants, royalty arrangements, and strategic corporate offtakes. Adopting Tech-Style Storytelling: Mining management teams must move beyond presenting technical drill data and instead frame a clear, engaging narrative for institutional and retail investors across digital channels. Core CEO Strategy: Long-term market value is built on conservative target-setting, strong corporate governance, and maintaining a local community license to operate. BEST MOMENTS "A listing is for life, not just for Christmas... getting the building blocks in place can take a significant period of time."  "Under-promise and over-deliver... that is the most guaranteed way to make your investors happy."  "Tech companies are brilliant at telling their story and engaging with their audience... the days of running around town with a deck that just talks about the resource for 20 pages of technical analysis are evolving."  "Critical mineral mining is not just a commodity story... it's a strategic, geopolitical, and capital market story."  "Always take capital when it's there... because it may not be there tomorrow." x VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:  ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:   ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:   http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://www.haynesboone.com/locations/london  https://www.instagram.com/haynesboone/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/haynes-and-boone-llp/home/  https://x.com/haynesboone   LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/haynes-boone-london/ | https://www.linkedin.com/company/haynes-and-boone-llp/  Haynes Boone’s Website - https://www.haynesboone.com/  Nick’s profile - https://www.haynesboone.com/people/davis-nick  Nick’s LinkedIn –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-davis-12471513/ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we speak to Colin Padget, President and CEO of Founders Metals, a gold exploration company advancing the Antino Gold Project in Suriname.   Colin is a geologist with a strong business background and has helped lead the team through an impressive period of exploration success at Antino, with 11 discoveries identified across the property to date.   We discuss the story behind Antino, its wider district-scale potential, the growing relationship with Gold Fields, Colin’s transition into the CEO role, and why Suriname and the wider Guiana Shield could represent one of the more exciting underexplored gold regions globally. KEY TAKEAWAYS District-Scale Discovery Engine: Founders Metals has demonstrated vast mineralization potential across its 100,000-plus hectare land package at the Antino Gold Project in Suriname, notching 11 discoveries to date. Tier-1 Mining Validation: Major gold producer Gold Fields made a cumulative investment of roughly $100 million USD to secure a 19.9% stake in Founders Metals, offering both strong market validation and valuable technical collaboration. Blending Exploration with Business Acumen: Transitioning from geologist to CEO requires building a balanced technical team and knowing when to steer exploration toward mineable resources rather than open-ended science experiments. Modern Tech Pierces the Jungle Cover: Implementing high-resolution LiDAR and modern geophysics has revolutionized exploration through dense jungle canopy, allowing Founders to identify historic workings and uncover structural trends missed by previous operators. BEST MOMENTS "It feels a bit cliché when you're an exploration company in the Guiana Shield... everyone has one of those slides in their deck where it shows West Africa and the Guiana Shield and that the continents used to be together... but it really was that."  "There's a validation piece that comes with having a major gold miner... take that level of interest in the company... They didn't invest in us to take it over and tell us what to do; they've been happy with what we've been doing."  "The number one thing is knowing, as a project geologist running a program, when does it stop being about the growth of a future resource or something that's mineable, and when does it turn into a science experiment?"  "Hands down, just being able to see through that cover... LiDAR is able to see through it down to the centimeter scale... We can see where there's been something dug 50 years ago, and take that as something worth going to check up on." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/founders-metals/ X: Founders Metals Inc. (@FoundersMetals) / X Instagram: Founders Metals Inc. (@foundersmetals) • Instagram photos and videos IR Contact: Costner Morrison, Director, Investor Relations - costnerm@fdrmetals.com CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Johann Dias, CEO of URSA Mining to discuss how autonomy and artificial intelligence are changing the mining industry.   We explore where the technology is delivering real value versus the hype, what mining companies need to consider before adopting autonomous systems, and how executives can manage the risks involved.   We also look at the impact on people and skills, whether technology can help mining attract the next generation of talent, and ultimately, what the mine of the future could look like ten years from now KEY TAKEAWAYS Autonomy delivers the greatest value when applied to simple, repetitive, low-variance tasks rather than attempting to solve every operational challenge at once. Mining operations can lower adoption risk by starting with safe, low-impact test sites before rolling out autonomous tech to high-pressure production zones. Attracting the next generation of mining talent relies on offering hands-on responsibility with emerging technologies rather than treating tech as a corporate afterthought. The mine of the future will increasingly shift toward remote digital command centers, improving safety by drastically reducing the number of personnel required on-site. BEST MOMENTS "Digitization creates visibility, AI creates efficiency, and autonomy leverages visibility to compound efficiency." "Technology is really a tool, it is not a Band-Aid to solve deeper problems that can exist within the operation, but when implemented correctly, the upside can be absolutely massive." "Hype cycle is saying that autonomy can do everything and anything all the time, and the grounded, much more pragmatic approach is to look at it from the sense of: where are our simplest tasks coming from, and can we put a machine on those tasks to perform it itself?" "I envision the mines of the future to be run from command centers much like that Hoth base, where you can observe all the activity happening in real time." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES ●      https://ursamining.com/ ●      https://www.linkedin.com/company/ursa-mining/ ●      https://x.com/ursamining CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Jeff Court, CEO of Tungsten West, an AIM market listed mining company who own and operate the Hemerdon Mine at Drakelands, South Devon, in the UK; one of the world’s largest tungsten resources who are going to bring the Hemerdon mine back into full production   We discuss the restart of the mine, the project’s progress towards commissioning, the significance of recent UK Government support and funding, the UK mining industry and the key steps ahead as Tungsten West moves towards production.   Jeff also shares lessons from more than 30 years in mining and his experience delivering projects around the world and much more. KEY TAKEAWAYS Backed by a £71 million funding package that includes the UK government as a strategic equity partner, Tungsten West has fully funded Hemerdon through to commercial production. The company rapidly transitioned from securing capital to launching operations within roughly one week, running plant refurbishment and early production in parallel with ongoing new construction. Hemerdon represents one of the world’s largest tungsten deposits outside China, positioning the UK as a critical supplier of raw materials for domestic defense and clean-energy supply chains. To overcome regional recruitment shortages in Devon, the operation is prioritizing local hiring, on-the-job training, and transferrable problem-solving skills over prior mining experience. BEST MOMENTS "We're probably one of the fastest projects you'll ever see from 'we're fully funded' to 'we're producing', and give or take we're about a week in between those two processes." "We now have the UK government as a long-term strategic equity partner in the project, and that means a huge amount to us." "If someone said to me, could you do the same for a project that might be sitting in remote parts of Canada right now? I'd say, 'Hey Rob, come and talk to me in about 12 years.'" "If you said what would be the rulebook before you started in this CEO role, I think, mate, you'd probably have thrown it out about twice since I joined and rewritten it again multiple times." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES ●      https://www.tungstenwest.com/ ●      https://www.linkedin.com/company/tungsten-west-plc/posts/ ●      https://x.com/TungstenWest?lang=en ●       https://www.instagram.com/popular/tungsten-west/ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Daniel Muñiz, Executive Chairman of Sinda, an emerging silver discovery in Mexico with the potential to become one of Latin America’s largest primary silver assets.   We explore the story behind the discovery, what makes Sinda particularly exciting from a geological perspective, and the opportunity that remains across a project where around 74% is still significantly underexplored.   Daniel also talks us through the strategy of expanding the existing resource while pursuing district-scale exploration, the challenges of advancing both simultaneously, and what the next phase of work could unlock.   Finally, we look at Mexico’s position as the world’s leading silver-producing country, why it continues to generate world-class discoveries, and the role projects such as Sinda could play in meeting growing global demand for silver. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Sinda project hosts an estimated 800-million-ounce silver-equivalent resource within Mexico’s historic silver belt, positioned to become one of Latin America's largest primary silver assets. Despite its already substantial footprint, only 26% of the 6,200-hectare property and 36% of mapped veins have been drilled, signalling significant district-scale expansion potential. Backed by $330 million raised from its IPO, the company is advancing underground decline development while running an extensive drilling fleet to target production by 2031. Sinda navigates Mexico’s evolving regulatory landscape by treating community, environment, security, technical skill, and permitting as integrated priorities to de-risk development. BEST MOMENTS ""It's kind of like the gift that keeps on giving... it’s an elephant, a tiger by the tail, a whale—it will be more than one billion ounces, and we are just scratching the surface today." "In communities, it's not just about winning passive social license; it's about generating active community sponsorship." "I think people believe mining in Mexico has become very restrictive, but that's wrong—it's not restrictive, it is selective. If you keep to the rules of good practice, you really get things done." "I am very convinced that all silver roads lead to Mexico." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES ●      https://www.linkedin.com/company/sindamx/ ●      https://sinda.mx/en/ ●      https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587560758521 ●      https://www.instagram.com/sindamexico/ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Matthew Rowlinson, President and CEO at Solaris Resources to discuss the development of Warintza in Ecuador, one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper projects.   We explore what differentiates Warintza from other major copper discoveries, the critical steps required to move a resource of this scale towards construction, and how Solaris is thinking about financing and ownership as the project becomes increasingly de-risked.   We also look at the wider copper market in particular; why the industry isn’t building enough new mines despite forecasts of a future supply shortage, the growing importance of geopolitics and China’s role in downstream refining, and what the mining industry needs to do to secure the social and political support required to develop the next generation of major copper mines. KEY TAKEAWAYS Warintza is an open-pit copper porphyry project in southeastern Ecuador boasting a 5.8-billion-tonne resource, a 55-year mine life, and an advantageous 0.5-to-1 strip ratio. Solaris is targeting mid-2027 to achieve a fully permitted status, aiming for a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2027 followed by an estimated three-year build. Upstream mine ownership does not guarantee supply security because Western development has lagged behind China's dominant 50% to 60% share of global smelting and refining capacity. The primary barrier to meeting the global copper shortage is not the lack of raw resources, but the lengthy timelines and the scarcity of projects that have successfully aligned permitting, social license, and technical studies into a truly financeable package. BEST MOMENTS "There’s a difference between a very good ore body, a good project, and ultimately a financeable project... in the world today there's very few projects that are actually probably financeable." "Mining is really the procurement arm of the world... industrialization and urbanization has only happened through ultimately mining." "Western governments are looking at independence of supply chains... However, owning a mine in Latin America, owning a mine in the DRC... does not necessarily solve the supply chain issue because your concentrates are ultimately going to go to China to be processed." "Partnership... is not necessarily just about bringing in capital. It’s really about bringing in expertise, bringing in a balance sheet that really is solid, and the ability to go and construct." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://www.solarisresources.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/solaris-resources-inc/?originalSubdomain=ca https://x.com/SolarisResource Email address: info@solarisresources.com CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Andrew Chubb, CEO of Awale Resources, to discuss the company’s exploration journey at the Odienné Gold-Copper Project in Côte d’Ivoire and what it really takes to make a significant mineral discovery.   We explore what gave Andrew the early conviction to keep pushing at Odienné what the successes and importantly the failures have taught the team, and what still needs to be demonstrated for the project to emerge as a significant gold-copper district.   We also get Andrew’s perspective on the wider exploration industry: how technology is changing the way we explore, knowing when to keep drilling or walk away, why billions spent on exploration aren’t resulting in more major discoveries, and what advice he would give the next generation of geologists. KEY TAKEAWAYS Disciplined mineral exploration relies on letting incoming data continuously refine deposit models rather than becoming emotionally attached to initial theories. Côte d’Ivoire has evolved into a premier mining-friendly jurisdiction due to forward-thinking policy, rapid 4-year development timelines, and extensive regional electrification. The lack of tier-one discoveries from massive global exploration spending highlights the advantage agile junior explorers have over large producers when executing field programs. Having significant exploration capital requires geologists to maintain financial discipline, evaluate mining economics early, and avoid overextending on early-stage targets. BEST MOMENTS "If you look at it from a geologist perspective... there’s sort of a bit of a joke that goes around geologists of 'he who sees the most rocks wins'." "People ask the question, you know, 'Would you put your house on a project?' I effectively did... I was all in, if you like, from a poker perspective." "I sort of have a philosophy of you never completely discount a target, you just put it on the shelf. Because the next one... might actually give you insights into what you got wrong on the last one." "Don’t think that you’ve got—'Oh, I’ve got 20 million bucks, I can do what I like'... Still think about your budgets carefully and how you’re going to apply them, and let the geology tell the story." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES ●      https://awaleresources.ca/ ●      https://www.linkedin.com/company/awale-resources/ ●      https://x.com/AwaleResources ●       https://www.youtube.com/@AwaleResources CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat to Steele Hemmerich, President of MetPro (Metal Prospecting AS), a copper and zinc exploration company in Norway's Grong VMS District. He brings a rare blend of hands-on field experience and capital markets execution. He started his career in the oil and gas industry before moving into corporate finance, where he worked on transactions across the mining, oil and gas, and technology sectors. Based in Dubai, he's evaluated mining projects across Europe, Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, and calls MetPro one of the most exciting he's come across, thanks to its drill-defined resource, Tier-1 jurisdiction and established infrastructure. In this episode, Steele joins the show to talk about MetPro's copper-zinc project in Norway and what it takes to bring a brownfield VMS district back into production. KEY TAKEAWAYS MetPro is fast-tracking the drill-defined Skiftesmyr copper-zinc deposit in Central Norway’s prolific Grong VMS district toward updated 43-101 compliance and pre-feasibility readiness. Built on decades of historical exploration and production data, the project benefits from tier-one infrastructure including direct access to highways, renewable hydropower, rail lines, and deepwater ports. The company’s multi-phase exploration program aims to expand resources beyond 6 million tonnes by testing open depths, strike extensions, and unaccounted high-grade gold and silver mineralization. MetPro is strategically positioned to help close the EU’s critical raw materials supply gap by leveraging predictable Scandinavian permitting standards and brownfield development speed. BEST MOMENTS "We have over 18,000 meters of modern diamond drilling completed, so this isn't a story about starting from a blank page; we're building on decades of historical development." "A great financial model built on shaky technical data is still a shaky project, no matter how clean the spreadsheet looks." "Domestic mining is only covering maybe a quarter of what Europe actually consumes... it's currently above the minimum 10% that the CRMA is targeting, but it's still a long way off of being self-sufficient." "Brownfield, previously drilled, tier-one jurisdiction with existing infrastructure—those can move from resource to production far faster than a greenfield discovery." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES Email: steele.hemmerich@metproas.com and info@metproas.com Website: www.metproas.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metpro-metal-prospecting-as/ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Haytham Hodaly, President and CEO of Wheaton Precious Metals, one of the world's leading precious metals streaming companies.  We discuss Haytham's journey from joining Wheaton over a decade ago to leading the business today, explore how the streaming model is reshaping mine finance, and examine the record-breaking Antamina silver streaming transaction with BHP. We also look at the outlook for precious metals, where Wheaton sees its next growth opportunities, and what investors should be watching over the coming year. KEY TAKEAWAYS Non-dilutive financing model: Streaming provides mining operators with upfront development capital at a fixed production cost with no dilution, debt covenants, or repayment burdens. Monumental portfolio expansion: Wheaton’s recent milestone $4.3 billion silver streaming transaction with BHP underscores strong validation and demand for streaming among tier-one global miners. Significant built-in growth: Backed by fully funded and permitted construction projects, Wheaton is on track to increase production by 50%, targeting approximately 1.2 million gold equivalent ounces by 2030. Strong precious metals outlook: Long-term fundamentals remain bullish, supported by gold’s safe-haven role against currency weakness and silver’s accelerating demand across solar, electric vehicles, and AI data centres. BEST MOMENTS "We provide upfront capital to mining companies in exchange for the right to purchase a percentage of their future metal production at a fixed rate... that provides our counterparties with financing with no dilution, no debt, and no significant covenants or repayment burdens." "What we're trying to position ourselves as is the highest quality, lowest cost, strongest growth portfolio in the industry with the lowest risk profile." "Silver's got those great conductive properties which will also make it incredibly important in the AI expansion... AI data centres typically require almost three times more silver than a typical data center." "Every transaction has to be an accretive transaction... it’s not just deploying capital, it’s disciplined capital allocation." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES Website: https://www.wheatonpm.com/overview/default.aspx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wheatonpm/ X: https://x.com/Wheaton_PM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WheatonPM/ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we speak to Hugh Broadhurst, COO at Aclara Resources to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the critical minerals industry: how the West can build a secure and competitive rare earth supply chain outside of China. We’ll explore Aclara’s development of SPREC, its plans to connect South American resources with separation capabilities in the United States, and how AI, pilot plants and strategic partnerships could help accelerate the journey from development into commercial production. We continue to discuss the risks of scaling technology from pilot to commercial operations, what can and can’t be accelerated through AI, and why simply discovering more rare earth deposits isn’t enough to create genuine supply-chain independence. KEY TAKEAWAYS Simply discovering raw mineral deposits does not ensure independence; true supply chain security requires full control over refining, separation, and metallurgical capabilities. Vertical integration reduces commercial and operational risks by allowing upstream mining operations to be balanced specifically for the chemistry and ratios needed downstream. Scaling chemical processes from pilot to commercial production often fails due to basic mechanical material-handling challenges rather than errors in chemical theory. Artificial intelligence and digital twins help convert the complex "art" of multi-stage separation into an exact science by modeling dynamic feedback loops and time variability. BEST MOMENTS "It’s not just the molecule you’re trying to sell, it’s what comes with it." "Having the control means we understand our deposits, we understand the variability, and then it’s just about managing it." "The goal here is to take the art out of it and apply science." "It’s often not the basic process that doesn’t work, it’s these annoying little things that happen... everywhere where there's solids, that's what I like to look for." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://www.aclara-re.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/aclararesources/ https://www.instagram.com/aclara.br/ https://x.com/AclaraResources CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Richard Bowley, who is a highly experienced mining executive who has spent more than 20 years leading projects across emerging markets.   We discuss and explore the realities of delivering mining projects in challenging jurisdictions, the importance of leadership, governance and ESG, why projects run over budget and behind schedule, and the lessons Richard has learned from advising companies, investors and governments throughout his career. KEY TAKEAWAYS Cultural integration and local relationship-building are just as critical to project survival in emerging markets as technical engineering. Front-end engineering investment during feasibility studies prevents massive downstream capital blowouts and schedule delays. Governance failures undermine entire ESG efforts, as a lack of transparency quickly erodes trust with host governments and local stakeholders. Owner teams must empower appointed EPC/EPCM contractors to execute their roles rather than micromanaging and hindering project delivery. BEST MOMENTS "Look at your feet... You're not in London now. So whatever you think you know, park it." "If you just go into a country and think it's about technical delivery, you will fail. 100%." "10% extra on engineering at the front end of any feasibility study, for me, is critical." "Everything you do well instantly becomes destroyed because if the governance aspects of a project or a business in any country become questionable, that trust that you've built... just gets torn down." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-bowley-842ba818/  CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Randy Turner, President and CEO of Independence Gold. Randy is a highly regarded geologist with a track record of discovering, advancing and creating value from mineral projects. He played a key role in the discovery of the Snap Lake diamond deposit, later acquired by De Beers, and was also involved in the early history of what became Artemis Gold's Blackwater mine. In this episode we discuss what attracted him to the 3Ts Gold Project in British Columbia, the project's fascinating journey from Teck to Independence Gold, what he looks for in a successful discovery, how technology is transforming exploration, and what's next for the 3Ts project. KEY TAKEAWAYS Randy Turner brings over 55 years of geological expertise to Independence Gold, having previously played a key role in major discoveries such as the Snap Lake diamond deposit and the early acquisition of the Blackwater gold project. Independence Gold is focusing its exploration efforts on the 3Ts Gold Project in British Columbia, which sits adjacent to the massive 20-million-ounce Blackwater gold deposit. Successful modern mineral exploration relies on combining advanced technologies like AI, geophysics, and geochemistry with traditional, boots-on-the-ground geological analysis. Independence Gold operates as a pure-play exploration company with a target strategy to grow the 3Ts resource to approximately 1 million gold-equivalent ounces before seeking a buyer or development partner BEST MOMENTS "In most cases around the world, all the easy deposits have been found... It's now taking more geology, back to the basics of geology—technologies, AI, geophysics, geochemistry." "We can't totally rely upon technology to make all these discoveries—we still have to be using our brains and our geological backgrounds to put all this together." "Good old boot and hammer work is what we call it—geologists getting out, banging rocks, and almost sniffing the core, looking at it, studying it." "We're explorationists—we're there to find, we're there to discover. But you bring in the other guys, the more senior companies, that will look at it to develop it and put it into production." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES Website:  ingold.ca Email: info@ingold.ca X: x.com/InGold_Corp LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/company/independence-gold-corp CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we speak to Pat Risner, President of South32 Hermosa project in Arizona who are advancing a multi-metal critical minerals development in the Patagonia Mountains of southern Arizona targeting zinc, manganese, silver, lead, and copper.   In this conversation we discuss what makes Hermosa such a strategically important project, the recent progress on permitting, and why Pat describes it as "a different kind of mine." We'll also explore his leadership journey, the company's approach to safety, community and Tribal engagement, the role of innovation and remote operations, and what the mining industry needs to do to develop the next generation of talent. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Hermosa project has the potential to produce up to five critical minerals including zinc, manganese, and copper, helping address supply chain vulnerabilities and foreign reliance for the United States. By design, Hermosa minimises its environmental footprint using 90% less water than traditional historical operations, a battery-electric underground fleet, and a total land disturbance of just 700 acres over up to 70 years of operation. South32 established relationships with local communities and native tribes four to five years prior to submitting permit applications, allowing stakeholder input to directly shape project design and avoid cultural or environmental impacts. By placing its remote operating facility (Centro) in Nogales, the project removes traditional mining employment barriers and supports a goal of a minimum 80% local workforce. BEST MOMENTS "We all guarantee everyone goes home safe and well... 'Guarantee' is a very emotive, provocative word when we talk about safety in mining, but that's deliberate. It's on purpose; it drives and ensures we have the right conversations." "The concept is: the earlier you engage with deliberate intent that you want to design a project that's less impactful... you have to start really, really early so it's robust and meaningful consultation." "For most of my mining career, we just didn't tell our story in the industry... It was more about not being seen than telling your story, and so I think that's changing—and I think it has to change." "We had to address the historical challenges around our industry that have made it less acceptable to society, and that's where the 'different kind of mine' piece goes in." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES ●      Social ○      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/south32-hermosa/ ○      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/South32Hermosa ○      TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@south32ltd ●      Website: https://www.south32hermosa.com/en_us ●      Contact/Email: media@south32hermosa.com CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Chris Beer, interim CEO of ATEX Resources, who are exploring the 100% owned Valeriano Copper Gold Project located in Chile. Copper is becoming one of the world's most strategically important commodities, and few exploration stories have attracted as much attention in recent years as ATEX Resources' Valeriano Project During this conversation, we are going to discuss the evolution of the project, the significance of the B2B discovery, the challenges and lessons from deep drilling, how the company is preparing for its next stage of growth, and Chris's thoughts on the future of copper and Chile's role in meeting global demand. KEY TAKEAWAYS ATEX Resources is evolving its Valeriano project in Chile from a localized copper-gold discovery into a large-scale, emerging copper district. The discovery and expansion of the high-grade B2B breccia zone near the surface provides significant potential for earlier-stage project development compared to deeper porphyry targets. Advanced techniques like directional drilling have enabled ATEX to improve operational efficiency and save thousands of meters of drilling in deep exploration targets. High copper concentrate grades combined with minimal deleterious elements position the Valeriano project favourably against tightening global copper supply standards. BEST MOMENTS "We think it's one of the top ten largest copper-gold discoveries in the last decade, globally." "Directional drilling... saved 6,000 to 7,000 meters in drilling [last year] just by utilising directional drilling. It really allows us to efficiently drill deeper deposits." "Finding, financing, permitting, and building a mine is a 10-to-20-year endeavour on large porphyry systems... I think the market underestimates the supply response." "The copper smelting companies are so desperate for concentrate that they are willing to take a hit just to bring that concentrate to their smelter." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES Website: https://atexresources.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@atexresources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atex-resources/posts/?feedView=all Twitter: https://x.com/ATEX_Resources   Contact Info: Chris Beer, Interim President and CEO   Email: cbeer@atexresources.com   Aman Atwal, Vice President, Business Development and Investor Relations Email: aatwal@atexresources.com 1-647-398-9405 or visit ATEX’s website at www.atexresources.com.  CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we speak to Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, Founder and Executive Chairman of KEFI Gold and Copper. Harry has spent more than four decades in the mining industry, building companies and advancing projects across Australia, the Middle East and Africa. With KEFI, he is now developing the Tulu Kapi Gold Project in Ethiopia and maintaining exposure to Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing mining sector.   Harry offers a unique perspective on financing projects in emerging jurisdictions, navigating geopolitical challenges and creating long-term value. We also explore his remarkable journey, the lessons learned from operating across multiple continents, and his outlook for KEFI and the wider mining industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Building direct, long-term relationships and being present in the country are essential for navigating local political, regulatory, and security challenges. By following specific geological formations—such as VMS deposits and greenstone belts—companies can unlock massive, previously untapped mineral potential. Innovative financing structures—such as combining project debt, royalties, and preference shares—allow major developments to proceed while keeping equity dilution remarkably low. Maintaining strict ethical standards and transparency ensures resilience against geopolitical instability, regulatory hurdles, and localised conflicts. BEST MOMENTS "The hallmark of our decision and style was that we would move over to that part of the world, roll up our sleeves, and get amongst it on the ground." "When you've got one or two [geologists] that have found a number of deposits in their lifetime, you know you've got a precious person." "Never do anything that can compromise you... if you've never been compromised, there's nothing to worry about. You can always lie straight in bed and have a good night's sleep." "In the first ten years of KEFI's existence, we made discoveries, and then we literally stopped exploration. And now that we're in a position to launch development, we're restarting." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://www.kefi-goldandcopper.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kefi-minerals-plc/ Email:  info@kefi-goldandcopper.com  CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Diane Garrett, CEO of Hycroft Mining who are a U.S.-based gold and silver development company focused on advancing the Hycroft Mine in Northern Nevada, one of the largest undeveloped precious metals deposits in the United States.   Diane gives us an update on Hycroft Mining as the company continues to advance one of the largest gold and silver development projects in the United States. Since her last appearance on the podcast in 2022, Hycroft has delivered a significant increase in its mineral resource, published a new technical assessment, and strengthened its leadership team as it moves towards the next stage of development.    We also discuss the latest progress at Hycroft, Diane's leadership journey, the lessons she's brought from previous successes, and her views on the outlook for gold, silver and the future of mine development in the US. KEY TAKEAWAYS Hycroft Mining is prioritising the exploration and development of two significant high-grade silver systems to optimise early cash flow before advancing its broader, lower-grade deposit. Recent technical assessments and improved metallurgical recoveries have significantly boosted Hycroft's measured and indicated mineral resource estimates while eliminating its prior corporate debt. A industry-wide shortage of qualified technical and operational talent, worsened by post-pandemic retirements and low university enrolments, presents an ongoing challenge for mine development across North America. Strong long-term fundamentals for gold and silver—driven by central bank purchasing, global debt levels, and industrial demand—support a positive outlook despite short-term market volatility. BEST MOMENTS "The people are the only asset that you're really investing in at this stage, and we take that to heart and we make sure that we build very solid, highly experienced teams." "Many mines just have one way to develop them. Hycroft has many options." "Take a prudent approach, don't rush to production, do it the right way, understand what you have, and then execute on that." "The thing about gold is, you can't print more of it, you can't create more of it like cryptocurrency—it's a fixed asset." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hycroftmining/ X: (1) Hycroft Mining (@HycroftMining) / X https://hycroftmining.com/ hycroft@tavistock.co.uk CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Graham Crew, a mining executive whose career has spanned engineering, operations, corporate leadership and investment. Fresh from leading Rupert Resources through its acquisition by Agnico Eagle, Graham shares his perspective on what the transaction says about today's mining industry and the changing landscape of project development.    We discuss leadership, permitting, ESG, energy transition, emissions reduction, lessons from previous commodity cycles, the future role of AI in mining, and the capabilities the next generation of mining leaders will need to succeed. To download the free whitepaper to uncover how ExxonMobil is redefining strategic approaches to energy transition in the mining sector: https://shorturl.at/89CLq KEY TAKEAWAYS Sustainable project development in modern mining relies on aligning the interests of investors, local communities, and governments to secure long-term support. Electrification and autonomous technologies offer major opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and emission reductions across the industry. Successful leaders look beyond short-term commodity price swings to focus on building strong organisational cultures, managing costs, and controlling what is directly within their power. Artificial intelligence serves as a powerful tool for organising and analysing vast amounts of operational data to drive faster, data-informed decision-making. BEST MOMENTS "High-quality ore bodies are not easy to find, and they're even harder to develop." "It takes people to make things work well, and it takes leadership to make operations and businesses work well." "Pick the tops and bottoms, leave that for market speculators... as an industry, try to build the most efficient mines we can." "The one thing that you can control is the culture of the organisation, how people treat it as owners, how efficiently people think, and how well they work together." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-crew-5ba79133/ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we speak to Wesley Whymark, President and CEO of Inventus Mining, to discuss the company's Pardo Gold Project in Ontario, Canada.    We explore what makes this unique gold deposit stand out, why bulk sampling has been central to its development strategy, and how Wesley's geological background influences both technical and commercial decision-making. We also discuss the potential for a low-capital path to production, the realities of permitting and Indigenous engagement in Ontario, and the key lessons learned from advancing an unconventional gold project. KEY TAKEAWAYS Inventus Mining utilises bulk sampling to combat the "nugget effect" of paleo-placer gold systems, proving that early drill data aligns with actual resource extraction. By opting for a mine-and-haul model using existing regional processing mills, the company minimises high upfront capital expenditure and avoids complex on-site infrastructure. Revenue generated from initial bulk sampling programs helps fund ongoing exploration and drilling without relying heavily on dilutive equity financing. Project proximity to established infrastructure—such as Sudbury, Ontario's roads, mills, and labor pool—is critical to transforming small-to-mid-size gold deposits into economically viable mines. BEST MOMENTS "Bulk sampling allows you to test that in real time... it's sort of like a trial mining, and it gives you confidence that you can extract the material at a profit."  "I like to put more money into the ground and a slightly less budget on marketing, because I think successful results are a stronger impact than a sort of empty story."  "You could have a great project of high-grade gold, but if it doesn't have good access... the ability to turn it into a mine gets diminished."  "Our strategy at the moment is to generate cash flow that can be used to further develop the gold system... so we don't need to keep doing equity raises and diluting shareholders." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES E-mail: wesley@inventusmining.com https://x.com/InventusMining https://ca.linkedin.com/company/inventus-mining https://www.youtube.com/@inventusmining https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587627317147 CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we seek to Louise Porteus, ESG Manager at Thor Explorations, a TSX-V & AIM listed gold producer and explorer focused on West Africa with operations and exploration assets in Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire We explore how environmental, social and governance practices have evolved from a compliance function into a key driver of value creation in the mining industry. Louise reflects on the pivotal moments in her career, discusses how ESG expectations differ across jurisdictions, shares how Thor Explorations is leading by example, and offers her perspective on the future of ESG over the next decade.  We also discuss her work supporting Women in Mining and hear her advice for anyone looking to build a career in international ESG and the mining sector. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS ESG has successfully shifted from a rigid box-ticking exercise into a core driver of long-term value creation and operational viability in the mining industry. True project stability relies on integrating local community dynamics and cultural governance into decision-making rather than just depending on written local legislation. Implementing ESG successfully requires a practical, step-by-step approach to data gathering that builds local trust and capacity, rather than overwhelming teams with massive theoretical toolkits. Advancing women in the mining sector involves moving past token representation and actively training them for hands-on, technical roles that fundamentally transform lives. BEST MOMENTS "Most projects didn’t fail because of technical reasons, they failed because of social." "There’s a better understanding that it’s not a tick-box, it’s not just a spreadsheet, it’s actually people that have to put the work behind it and do it." "I’ve been emphatic about bringing what I call cultural governance into our decision-making." "It's not just what you did, but so what? What did that mean? What did that lead to? Did it give more confidence to people?" VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://www.linkedin.com/company/thor-explorations-ltd/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-porteus-65b2801/ Website: https://thorexpl.com/ Email Address: lporteus@thorexpl.com thorexplorations@yellowjerseypr.com CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat to Andrew Fulton and Jim Williams of Anglesey Mining, an AIM listed mineral exploration and development company focus on advancing the Parys Mountain poly-metallic project on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales. Andrew has built a career leading mining operations, developing projects and turning technical challenges into practical solutions. Now, he’s helping shape the next chapter of Parys Mountain with Jim Williams, where the focus is on taking a disciplined, technically driven approach to unlocking the project's potential. In this episode, we explore why understanding geology comes before drilling, how decades of historical data can reduce risk, the role of modern technology in project development, and why leadership, community engagement and strong technical foundations are critical to building successful mining projects in today's industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Following a comprehensive corporate restructuring and recapitalisation, Anglesey Mining has shifted its primary focus to advancing the Paris Mountain polymetallic project in North Wales. The management team is strategically prioritising a thorough analysis of decades of historical geological data to ensure every future drilling dollar answers a specific technical question. Anglesey Mining defines responsible mining as building trust by consistently meeting the exact expectations set for investors, regulatory bodies, and local communities. The UK mining industry is experiencing a notable resurgence, driven by the government's critical mineral strategy to secure domestic supply chains for essential metals like copper and zinc. BEST MOMENTS "The focus is taking on a disciplined, technical-driven approach to unlocking the project's potential."  "Right now, I don't think we need to immediately grow the resource. We need to grow confidence into actually where we're going to target to build this mine."  "Responsible mining is about meeting the expectations that we've set."  "Technology doesn't replace geology, it enhances it." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://www.angleseymining.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/anglesey-mining-plc/ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Anthony Viljoen, who returns to the podcast to provide an update on the progress being made at Andrada Mining as the company continues to advance its ambition of becoming a leading African critical minerals producer.  We discuss the operational improvements behind record tin production at the Uis Mine, the impact of the new ore-sorting circuit, exploration progress at Brandberg West and Lithium Ridge, strategic partnerships with global industry leaders, and the key operational, technical and corporate milestones investors should be watching over the remainder of the year.  This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS By integrating an innovative X-ray transmission (XRT) ore-sorting circuit, Andrada Mining aims to eliminate 80% of waste upfront and boost operational throughput by approximately 60%. Distinct exploration programs at Brandberg West have revealed a rich blend of tin, tungsten, and copper, effectively shielding the project from single-commodity market volatility. The extensive drilling initiative at Lithium Ridge, conducted in partnership with SQM, has confirmed high-grade, near-surface mineralization spanning a 6km strike. Anthony believes that surging global interest in critical minerals offers a unique opportunity to revitalise liquidity and rebuild retail investor trust on the London AIM market. BEST MOMENTS "What started off as this consolidation of historic tin mines is turning into a district-scale mineralised province." "We’ll get rid of 80% of the waste upfront... that makes the whole concentrated part of the circuit a lot more efficient." "Having the different array of minerals that we've got allows any sort of fluctuations [in the commodity game] to be smoothed out." "I think that with the flurry of interest in critical minerals, there is a unique chance now for AIM to reassert itself as the dominant mining market globally." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail: ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:  ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://andradamining.com/ linkedin.com/company/andrada-mining https://x.com/Andrada_Mining https://www.youtube.com/@andradamining CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Adam Oehlman, CEO of Sierra Nevada Gold, a junior advancing a portfolio of high-impact precious and base metal projects across Nevada in the USA and in Saudi Arabia We discuss his transition from African Gold, where he helped grow the resource base and deliver a successful corporate transaction, to leading a company with ambitions in one of the world's fastest-emerging mining jurisdictions. We explore why Saudi Arabia has become the company's strategic focus, the potential of the Al Safra copper-gold project, and what it's really like operating on the ground in the Kingdom.  Adam also shares his approach to disciplined capital allocation, balancing technical geology with corporate strategy, and his views on why Saudi Arabia could become one of the mining industry's most attractive destinations for exploration investment over the coming years This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS Sierra Nevada Gold's strategic transition to Saudi Arabia is fueled by the region's incredibly low exploration costs and immense, under-explored geological upside. The company’s flagship Al Safra project has high-impact potential, backed by strong historical copper and gold mineralization and active fast-tracked drilling. Saudi Arabia provides a highly supportive operating environment with substantial government financial incentives, competitive drilling rates, and efficient asset turnaround times. Successful junior exploration requires balancing robust technical fundamentals with a practical, value-driven investor mindset to ensure every dollar counts. BEST MOMENTS "The more money you can get into the ground and the further it goes, the higher the likelihood you have to succeed..." "We've had our license at Al Safra for seven weeks, and we've got three drill rigs completed almost 5,000 meters of drilling. The majors that are there at the moment aren't able to move that fast." "In a world of finite capital, you can't get too bogged down in sort of technical theory. You want to be making every drill meter count." "...what I like to base all my capital outlays on is, you know, strong technical fundamentals overlayed with an investor mindset." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES Website: https://sngold.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/74504946 Email: aoehlman@sngold.com.au CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Andrew Hume, Managing Director of Thor Energy, a company operating at the crossroads of critical minerals exploration, natural hydrogen, and the evolving energy transition. We revisit Andrew's career journey and discuss what motivated him to leave the major energy company environment to lead a junior exploration company. We'll explore the challenges of transitioning from oil and gas into mining, how Thor Energy is positioning itself within the rapidly changing energy landscape, and the progress being made across its project portfolio, including the flagship HY-Range natural hydrogen project. We'll also take a closer look at the growing interest in natural hydrogen, its potential role in the global energy mix, and whether it could emerge as a significant new commodity class. Finally, Andrew shares insights into how Thor is combining techniques from both the mining and oil and gas industries, the role of AI in exploration, and some of the key lessons he's learned throughout his career. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org Download this free whitepaper to uncover how ExxonMobil is redefining strategic approaches to energy transition in the mining sector: https://bit.ly/wp-mining-forward-lower-emission-mining-operations KEY TAKEAWAYS Thor Energy successfully integrates traditional mining techniques with oil and gas exploration methodologies to unlock complex transition commodities. Recent shallow geochemical evaluations at the flagship HY Range project revealed an impressive 3% natural hydrogen enhancement in the soil. Thor has partnered with Velseis to initiate a 2D seismic program in late Q3 or early Q4 to map out subsurface structures for future drilling targets. As a lean operator, the company leverages AI tools for advanced data pattern recognition to dramatically increase exploration efficiency and optimise workflows. BEST MOMENTS "We're looking at some of the commodities that sit in between. The intersection of oil and gas exploration, conventional mineral exploration, and equally for development and production." "The headline figure is that we, in one location, we find 3% natural hydrogen in the soil. It really gives us a lot of hope and it really speaks and is a soft clue to the potential volumes." "If you can find natural hydrogen close to mine sites, this allows you to use the hydrogen as an energy source when you oxidise, when you burn hydrogen, you produce water. It's the ultimate clean power." "When you're given opportunities, I recommend everyone to explore. Life's too short." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES https://thorenergyplc.com/ https://x.com/ThorEnergyPLC https://www.linkedin.com/company/thor-energy-plc/ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Jürgen Hahn, Senior Manager in Product and Business Development at BOKELA, a company renowned for its expertise in advanced filtration, dewatering, and process technologies for the mining and minerals sector. With more than three decades of experience and a strong scientific background, Jurgen has played a key role in the development of innovative tailings management solutions and has authored numerous technical papers on the subject. We discuss the growing importance of tailings filtration, the balance between operational costs and long-term sustainability, and how the industry is responding to increasing environmental and regulatory pressures. We will also look ahead to the future of mining, covering topics such as recycling and the role mining will play in supporting the global energy transition. Finally, Jurgen will share his key insights and advice for professionals working in tailings management and mine waste stewardship. KEY TAKEAWAYS Jürgen began his professional journey with BOKELA as a student assistant in 1986 and has risen through the ranks to lead product and business development. BOKELA transitioned to being a 100% owned subsidiary of Tsukishima Holding in 2013, finding a strong cultural and psychological fit between German and Japanese business mentalities. Increasing industry pressure and awareness of annual dam failures are pushing mining operations away from wet disposal systems and toward advanced tailings filtration. Standard financial comparisons overlook crucial factors like property requirements, rehabilitation costs, and long-term water treatment, making a strong case for lifecycle cost calculations. BEST MOMENTS "Our high-performance disk filter already includes all the knowledge about bottlenecks and how to overcome the bottlenecks." "The ground that you need to build a wet disposal is about three times bigger than what you need for a filter tailings stack." "Things would change if we really talk about lifecycle cost." "Do it and think that this property where you put the tailings on is your own property... and then think about that your family is living downstream." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jurgen-hahn-037b59167  https://www.linkedin.com/company/bokela Website: https://www.bokela.com  https://www.tailings-filtration.com CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Jon Gilligan, CEO & Director of Liberty Gold. Jon brings more than three decades of experience in mine construction, operations, and project development, having helped build and operate a number of successful mining projects throughout his career. Jon is leading the advancement of Liberty Gold’s flagship Black Pine Gold Project in Idaho, a project that has become the company’s clear strategic focus as it transitions from an exploration-led story to a feasibility-stage gold developer. We'll discuss why Liberty Gold has streamlined its portfolio around Black Pine, what management believes the market may still be overlooking about the asset, and how the project’s inclusion in the FAST-41 federal permitting program is helping provide greater visibility around the permitting pathway. We also explore the operational and cultural shift required to move from exploration into project development, the importance of building a team capable of advancing engineering, permitting, stakeholder engagement, technical studies, and financing in parallel, and how Jon’s mine-building background influences decision-making at every stage of the project. In addition, we examine capital discipline in today’s market environment, whether investors are beginning to place greater value on permitting certainty and execution capability over pure exploration upside, common misconceptions about developing mines in the United States, and Jon’s outlook for the gold development sector and the characteristics that will define the companies best positioned to succeed over the coming years. KEY TAKEAWAYS Liberty Gold streamlined its portfolio to concentrate capital and management resources almost entirely on the large-scale, scalable Black Pine oxide gold system in Idaho. The inclusion of the Black Pine project into the federal Fast 41 process has introduced vital transparency and accountability into the permitting timeline, enhancing investor confidence and allowing for aligned engineering efforts. Transitioning from an exploration-focused company to a development company requires a significant cultural shift, supported by bringing in technical leaders with hands-on mine construction and operational experience. Liberty Gold has successfully protected shareholders from dilution by funding its progression toward a construction decision through the progressive divestment of non-core assets. BEST MOMENTS "The decision to streamline the portfolio was all about focus and sort of capital efficiency. Management attention in Black Pine was going to yield us the biggest bang for our buck." "It doesn't change any of the rules, but what it does is it creates a much clearer framework." "The mindset of explorer-discoverers generally is quite different to the mindset of developers and builders. If you want to shift from one to the other, it's as much a cultural shift as it is a technical shift." “When you have other options to be able to fund your company in a non-dilutive way, that really adds value to the company" VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES Website: https://www.libertygold.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liberty-gold-corp/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LibertyGoldCorp X Account: https://x.com/LibertyGoldCorp CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

The practical challenge is that mines are high-energy, high-utilisation, long-life operations. Haul trucks run 16–18 hours a day, processing plants consume enormous power, and assets stay in service for decades. Diesel has very high energy density and fast refuelling — so any alternative has to compete on uptime, not just emissions. On top of that, many mines are remote and off-grid. Electrifying equipment means redesigning the entire power backbone — generation, storage, charging infrastructure — not just replacing engines. So the real challenge isn’t technology availability, it’s integrating new energy systems into capital-intensive operations without compromising safety, productivity or cost per tonne. So, what then are the key opportunities for operators to lower lifecycle GHG emissions from mining operations? And what are some practical actions the industry can take? Hear from Andy Hattersley, Senior Global Product Advisor for ExxonMobil and Julian Soles, who has extensive sector experience from his work with FLSmidth, Anglo and First Mode, in a one-off podcast hosted by ExxonMobil on 21 April. The discussion will explore how mining companies are adapting to the energy transition, key barriers to reducing emissions and practical steps to take the industry into a lower-emissions future. Veteran mining podcast host Rob Tyson will moderate. Learning objectives: Barriers to progress in reducing GHG emissions in mining. Choices and pathways operators are exploring to reduce emissions while optimising productivity. The anticipated energy mix of the mining haul fleet of 2040. Practical steps mining operators can take this year to shift their businesses into a lower emissions future. KEY TAKEAWAYS As human population and technological reliance grow, the global mining output must increase despite facing the continuous operational challenge of declining ore grades. The processing of large rocks into fine powder consumes a massive 40% to 60% of a mine's continuous energy, making simple choices like powering down the process incredibly difficult. Mining operators have historically been risk-averse regarding new infrastructure because core assets are capital-intensive and designed to last for up to 50 to 100 years. Early data shows that incorporating quick-charging plug-in hybrid battery systems into current diesel fleets can reduce overall diesel consumption by upwards of 30%. BEST MOMENTS "Mining is incredibly diverse... whether your mine is on-grid, whether it's off-grid, whether it's above ground, whether it's below ground” "Because of all those things, mining is generally very risk-averse at adopting new technologies. They want to see it—has it worked somewhere else? Has it worked for that particular ore type?” "The best thing you can do is not consume—don't consume the kilowatt-hour if you can avoid it" VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES ExxonMobil LinkedIn channel: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/exxonmobil-global-land-fuels/ ExxonMobil Whitepaper Download Link: https://bit.ly/wp-mining-forward-lower-emission-mining-operations CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Paul Weibel, Chief Executive Officer of 5E Advanced Materials. Since Paul’s last appearance on Dig Deep, both the company and the broader critical minerals landscape have evolved significantly. As governments and industry increasingly focus on supply chain security, energy transition materials, and domestic resource development, boron has emerged as a strategic mineral receiving far greater attention than ever before. In this conversation, we discuss the progress being made at the Fort Cady Project in California, the significance of boron’s addition to the U.S. Critical Minerals List, and what that designation means in practical terms for financing, customer engagement, and government support. We’ll also explore why boron is becoming increasingly important across a range of advanced technologies, where demand growth is coming from, and how shifting geopolitical dynamics, trade tensions, and supply chain fragmentation are strengthening the case for domestic sources of critical minerals. In addition, we’ll look at the financing environment for critical minerals projects, how 5E is navigating the intersection of private capital, strategic investors, and government-backed funding opportunities, and the key milestones stakeholders should be watching over the next 12 to 18 months. Finally, Paul shares his perspective on what policymakers and investors still may not fully appreciate about boron, its strategic importance, and what is at stake as countries work to secure critical mineral supply chains for the future. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS Boron's recent designation as a US critical mineral highlights its vital importance to national defense, green energy, and industrial supply chains. Global boron supply is exceptionally tight and dominated by a fragile duopoly, making the establishment of independent domestic sources a pressing geopolitical priority. Beyond its primary boron focus, 5E Advanced Materials' Fort Cady project possesses a highly lucrative lithium byproduct stream that unlocks versatile non-dilutive financing opportunities. BEST MOMENTS "Boron really is important... It had always sat as a strategic material per the Defense Logistics Agency. This was validation that boron really is now more mainstream." "The boron supply deficit is here. We're seeing an uptick in prices... All markets that use a boric acid are domestically very, very tight." "Now, in addition to boron being critical, we'll also produce a lithium byproduct stream... You have a more diversified critical minerals portfolio." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ GUEST RESOURCES ●      X - https://x.com/5EAMaterials ●      Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/5EAdvancedMaterialsInc/ ●      LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/5e-advanced-materials-inc/ ●      YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtaY2C7EDECuT_RRqDC-pIVcqcKO1tAQd CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Jeff Clark, one of the most respected voices in the precious metals sector and editor of The Gold Advisor. For decades, Jeff has been helping investors navigate the gold and silver markets, identifying opportunities across mining equities and providing insight into the macroeconomic trends that drive commodity prices. With gold reaching record highs and renewed interest returning to the mining sector, it's an important time to understand where we are in the cycle, what factors are driving precious metals, and where the greatest opportunities may lie for investors. In this episode, we discuss gold versus silver, the impact of inflation, debt, interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty, how investors should be positioning themselves today, the criteria Jeff uses when selecting mining stocks, and the key catalysts that could shape the sector over the next 6 to 12 months. Jeff will also share his outlook on mining equities, whether capital is finally flowing back into the sector, and what investors should be watching that could either support or challenge the current bullish case for precious metals. If you want to know more about precious metals, then check out The Gold Advisor, a free way to stay on top of the biggest moves in gold, silver, and mining stocks. Jeff Clark and the team break down what matters, why it matters, and where the best opportunities may be shaping up — with timely market insight, company commentary, and ideas investors can actually use. You can sign up here for free: https://thegoldadvisor.com/?refpartner=109 This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit ⁠www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS While gold frequently commands the headlines with record high prices, silver remains significantly undervalued based on historical ratios and represents a greater opportunity for investors. When vetting junior mining companies, evaluating the track record, integrity, and skin in the game of the management team is more critical than looking at impressive drill results alone. Significant capital flows will flood the tiny precious metals sector once the broader, overvalued stock market begins to weaken and correct. BEST MOMENTS "The financial system has not reset. The debt level hasn't been dealt with yet” "These junior stocks that we invest in are already high-risk investments. Let's take that risk and lower it" "You only need a little bit of capital coming into this sector to greatly influence it. If 6% of the current value of cash, bonds, and stocks in the equity market were to come over into the gold sector, the gold sector would triple overnight." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat to Neil McMillan, Chairman of MAX Power Mining Corp. With decades of experience in the mining and energy sectors, Neil is helping lead one of Canada's most exciting emerging energy stories following MAX Power's discovery of a subsurface natural hydrogen system in Saskatchewan. We discuss the significance of the discovery, the potential of natural hydrogen as a future energy source, and what it could mean for Canada's role in the global energy transition. We cover why Saskatchewan is considered uniquely prospective and why Neil thinks this is one of the best projects he has been involved in. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit ⁠www.mining-international.org  KEY TAKEAWAYS Neil McMillan transitioned from a successful career in gold and uranium financing back into the resources sector as Chairman of MAX Power Mining Corp. Max Power recently discovered a massive subsurface natural hydrogen system in Saskatchewan, which experts suggest could eventually rival traditional natural gas in scale. Unlike manufactured industrial hydrogen, natural hydrogen is processed by nature and has the potential to be produced at a fraction of the cost, making it highly attractive to commercial markets. The discovery's unique geographical conditions provide both clean electricity and cooling water, positioning Saskatchewan as an ideal location for the rapid development of next-generation AI data centers. BEST MOMENTS "If you only produce 2% of it you would have enough of a clean energy source for the next 100 years."  "The geological structure that’s necessary to create natural hydrogen reservoirs is the same one that created the potash industry and the uranium sector."  "We have a saying: it’s not going to be very long to go from mining to molecules—months to molecules."  "I can look ahead in five years or ten years and see natural hydrogen as the major new source of energy in the world." GUEST RESOURCES https://www.maxpowermining.com/naturalhydrogen/ https://x.com/maxpowermining https://www.linkedin.com/company/max-power-mining-corp/ https://www.youtube.com/@maxpowerminingcorp VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Jorge Ganoza, President, CEO, and Director of Fortuna Mining, a Canadian mid-tier precious metals producer with three operating mines and exploration activities located in Argentina, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guyana, Peru, and Senegal. Now in its 21st year, Fortuna has undergone a significant evolution, building a reputation for disciplined execution, operational excellence, and strategic growth. Under Jorge's leadership, the company has successfully expanded its geographic footprint, strengthened its portfolio through acquisitions and divestments, and positioned itself for its next phase of growth. In this conversation, we discuss the leadership qualities required to succeed in the modern mining industry and how Jorge's own leadership approach has evolved throughout his career. We'll look back at Fortuna's journey over the past two decades, explore the company's strategy to achieve annual gold production of approximately 500,000 ounces by the second half of 2028, and examine how recent portfolio optimisation has strengthened the business. We also dive into some of Fortuna's most important growth initiatives and the company's growing exploration pipeline across West Africa and South America. Finally, we'll discuss Jorge's long-term vision for Fortuna and what investors, communities, and stakeholders can expect from the company as it moves toward the end of the decade This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit ⁠www.mining-international.org If you want to know more about precious metals, then check out The Gold Advisor, a free way to stay on top of the biggest moves in gold, silver, and mining stocks. You can sign up here for free: https://thegoldadvisor.com/?refpartner=109 KEY TAKEAWAYS The company evaluates long-term potential based on the cash margins and asset resilience an operation can maintain throughout a commodity price cycle, rather than pursuing production scale for its own sake. Managing localised political and security volatility requires strict asset evaluation alongside deeply communicative relationship-building with host governments to ensure smooth path-to-development timelines. With both the Seguela plant expansion in Côte d’Ivoire and the Diamba Sud project in Senegal heavily underway, Fortuna controls an organic 60% production growth path that does not depend on further acquisition or unproven exploration. BEST MOMENTS "Our strategy for the business is to have a business that can perform throughout the precious metals price cycle. In low prices, in medium prices, in high prices, Fortuna should be able to thrive." "More than getting bigger for bigger's sake, it's about putting together a portfolio of assets that can have those qualities... an asset base with competitive costs and exploration potential." "This business is built on operational discipline, but that will only take you as far as the asset allows you to at the end of the day." GUEST RESOURCES https://fortunamining.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fortunamining/ https://www.instagram.com/fortunamining/ VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this special series (Part 3 of 3) around HR and recruitment in the mining industry, we bring together three experienced HR leaders from across the global mining industry: Leanne Holmes, Head of People at Central Asia Metals, Paul Eagle, Vice President People & Culture at Evolution Mining, and Bridget Hunter, Group Manager Shared Services at Ivanhoe Mines. The discussion explores some of the key workforce and talent challenges shaping the future of mining, including addressing age bias in hiring, improving the industry's image to attract new talent, and creating more flexible and family-friendly workplaces. The panel also shares perspectives on educating younger generations about modern mining careers, highlighting the growing role of technology, sustainability, innovation and digital transformation across the sector. The guests discuss what organisations can do to strengthen their employer brand and improve employee retention, from leadership and career development to workplace culture, flexibility and creating environments where people feel valued, supported and able to grow professionally. Whether you work in HR, leadership, recruitment, or operational management, this episode provides valuable insights into how mining organisations can strengthen their employer brand and build high-performing teams for the future. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit ⁠www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS Mitigating age bias in recruitment requires a shift in focus toward individual competencies and experience rather than traditional career timelines and years of service. Improving the mining industry's reputation depends on genuine advancements in environmental stewardship, community engagement, and workplace culture rather than relying solely on clever marketing campaigns. Designing flexible working schedules that accommodate various family structures and life stages is essential for broadening the talent pool and retaining diverse employees. BEST MOMENTS "I think mining’s reputation challenge really requires authentic transformation, not just better marketing."  "The key is to recognise that family-friendly doesn't mean a one-size-fits-all approach. It means listening to employees and finding ways to adapt their working patterns." "Mining is not a dirty activity. It’s a very exciting, innovative, technologically advanced environment where it's also very focused on sustainability and building things for the future." GUEST RESOURCES Paul Eagle: paul.eagle@evolutionmining.com https://au.linkedin.com/in/paul-eagle-80128740 Leanne Holmes: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/holmesleanne Bridget Hunter: https://za.linkedin.com/in/bridget-hunter-3a000230 VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Alex Walker, CEO of East Star Resources, a company focused on unlocking copper and gold opportunities across Kazakhstan through a combination of brownfields development and greenfields exploration. We discuss why major industry players such as Endeavour Mining and Xinhai chose to partner with East Star, how the company approaches exploration risk and portfolio management, and why Kazakhstan remains one of the most underappreciated mining jurisdictions globally despite its long mining history and significant geological potential. Alex also shares insights into how modern explorers should think about value creation beyond market sentiment, the challenges junior mining companies face when transitioning from discovery to development, and why understanding geology, infrastructure, and operational execution is becoming increasingly important in today’s market. We also explore broader industry themes, including investor perceptions of mining, the long-term outlook for copper and gold, and why the mining sector remains fundamental to both global economic growth and the energy transition. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit https://www.mining-international.org/ KEY TAKEAWAYS East Star Resources’ agreements with major players like Endeavour and Xinhai allow the junior company to advance its flagship assets toward development with minimal dilution and no added debt carriage. Despite a long history of mining, the country offers significant modern exploration potential, exceptional infrastructure, and a clear, western-modeled mineral code By leveraging and validating detailed Soviet-era drilling records, East Star Resources has managed to secure large copper and gold resource targets at a remarkably low discovery cost per ton. Successful junior mining companies must carefully manage risk by targeting infrastructure-led brownfield projects for near-term cash flow BEST MOMENTS "The reason that I moved to Kazakhstan in the first place is I wanted an absolute intimate working knowledge of the operations." "There's a whole wide world out there of people that build mines and make money and don't just mine markets, and they're the people we're interested in working with." "I like to do is not have—not be reliant on one specific thematic, one commodity that's having a hot run. We're interested in building a company here, and so we need to play long-term." "The same deposit in Kazakhstan is worth more than that deposit in Australia, or Canada, or Chile... it really is a fantastic place to work." GUEST RESOURCES ●      https://eaststarplc.com/ ●      https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-star-resources/ ●      https://x.com/EastStar_PLC VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Andrew Thake, Director at Beacon Events, one of the leading mining-focused events and conference businesses, operating across the world.  We explore the important role mining conferences and industry events play in connecting investors, miners, governments, and the wider supply chain across the sector. Andrew also shares insights into his own journey within mining, how he developed his knowledge and network within the industry, and some of the influential books, personalities, and conversations that helped shape his understanding of the sector. We also discuss some of the major trends currently impacting mining globally, including the growing influence of government policy, critical minerals strategies, supply chain security, and the increasing importance of downstream and midstream processing. Andrew gives his perspective on the evolving role of Asian financial centres such as Hong Kong and Singapore within global mining finance, the commodities attracting the most market attention today and lessons he’s learned around mining investment from some of the industry’s most respected investors. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit https://www.mining-international.org/ KEY TAKEAWAYS Mining conferences serve a dual purpose by delivering a return on investment through face-to-face business networking while providing specialized, non-Googleable educational content. A major ongoing trend in the mining sector is the rapidly increasing involvement of governments—particularly the US and Saudi Arabia—in shaping mining investment and critical mineral policies. The Western mining sector is beginning to realize the critical importance of midstream and downstream processing to build independent and resilient supply chains. Despite Western skepticism, Hong Kong remains a highly vibrant, multi-billion dollar financial center that heavily drives mining finance and listings for major companies. BEST MOMENTS "Online events are great, but there's a real power in meeting people face-to-face... that's something that the events business can really go and deliver." "What's great about the mining industry is how open everyone is, how much everyone wants to go and share information, and how passionate people feel about the mining industry..." "Whatever one may think about China, it has a 50-year plan, and it executes it really, really well. And I think that the West is now realizing that we need to have that more long-term sort of planning." "I've seen many really great conferences fail due to poor execution, and I've seen many average conferences succeed due to great execution. So for me, when I apply that to mining investment, I think if you've got a great management team, then they may be very good at executing the asset" GUEST RESOURCES https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-thake-0b14621/ www.imarcglobal.com www.resourcingtomorrow.com https://www.futuremineralsforum.com/ VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Ricus Grimbeek, an experienced mining executive with more than three decades of leadership across major mining operations and Executive Chair of Makor Resources, a company focused on building a district-scale copper platform in Zambia. Throughout the conversation, we explore what attracted Ricus to Makor at this stage of his career, why he believes Zambia remains one of the most misunderstood copper opportunities globally, and how long-term consolidation strategies differ from the traditional junior mining model. We also discuss the realities of building scalable mining businesses, the importance of social licence and stakeholder alignment, and what separates projects with genuine scale potential from those driven purely by market narrative. In addition, Ricus shares his thoughts on one of mining’s biggest long-term challenges, responsibly integrating artisanal and small-scale mining into the broader mining economy through initiatives like Mine-Hive and why the industry must rethink how future copper supply is discovered, developed, and delivered if it’s going to meet growing global demand over the coming decades. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS True project scale in modern copper mining often relies on consolidating smaller, high-grade deposits across a specific district to feed a central processing facility, rather than searching for one rare mega-deposit. Securing a social license to operate is a privilege that must be actively earned from day one through genuine, hands-on community engagement, rather than treated as a distant, compliance-driven metric. The artisanal and small-scale mining sectors comprise ninety percent of the global mining workforce but remain severely underrepresented and locked out of crucial developmental capital. Mining company failures typically stem from systemic human leadership gaps and unaddressed operational risks during the execution phase, rather than a failure to find resources. BEST MOMENTS “We actually get asked to come and operate in certain communities because of the way we operate." "True scale in a lot of places will look like that... it's not necessarily going to be the one large, big asset that that makes a company." "You don't necessarily need to spend millions of dollars to make a big difference in people's lives" "Artisanal and small-scale mining is basically ninety percent of the mining industry's workforce... and they are totally underrepresented and they really struggle to get access to capital. GUEST RESOURCES https://www.makorresources.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/makorresources/ https://www.instagram.com/makorresources/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbitMzJC4TAd5ZY5f2toaHA VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we speak to Adam McKinnon, CEO of Advance Metals, a company rapidly building one of the more exciting silver growth stories in Mexico Advance has assembled a portfolio exceeding 100 million ounces of silver equivalent across the prolific Sierra Madre Belt, positioning itself at the centre of a growing global conversation around silver supply, electrification, and precious metals demand. We discuss the strategy behind consolidating a district-scale silver platform in Mexico, the significance of the recent Yoquivo JORC Resource, and why the company believes there is substantial upside still to come from its exploration pipeline. We explore Adam’s views on leadership in mining, balancing geology with capital markets, the importance of local expertise, and where he sees the biggest opportunities emerging in precious metals exploration over the next decade. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS Advanced Metals has efficiently built a portfolio exceeding 100 million ounces of silver equivalent along Mexico's prolific Sierra Madre belt for less than $5 million USD. Recent JORC resource validation at the Yakivo project has revealed significant, high-grade unsampled core that redefines the site's potential from a narrow-vein system to a bulk-tonnage project. Establishing an almost entirely Mexican local team and advisory network is critical to navigating community relations, legal systems, and environmental compliance effectively. Significant opportunities still exist in mature mining districts by applying modern technologies like high-resolution LiDAR surveys to re-evaluate previously drilled areas. BEST MOMENTS "We have pulled together this plus-100-million-ounce silver equivalent portfolio now for a total cost, current cost, of less than $5 million US dollars." "When you look at these projects systematically and scientifically, you often get a lot further than when you take an ad hoc approach." "You want Mexican nationals to be interacting with Mexican nationals in these places... that in-country experience is absolutely invaluable." "There is a lot of value to be unlocked by looking differently at some of the exploration that has already been done... there are a lot of discoveries actually hiding in plain sight." GUEST RESOURCES https://advancemetals.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/advance-metals-ltd/ https://x.com/advancemetltd VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Matthieu Bos, CEO of Falcon Energy Materials, who are advancing an anode material project in Morocco, and he's also the Chairman of Hercules Metals, a copper explorer in Idaho. His career spans battery materials, copper, gold, royalties, and complex jurisdictions from the DRC to Morocco, Quebec, and the United States.   In this conversation, we explore how he thinks about building critical minerals projects, winning sophisticated capital, assessing jurisdictional risk, and where the mining industry needs to go next to turn supply chain ambition into real production. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS Falcon Energy Materials has shifted away from traditional mining to focus exclusively on the chemical processing and transformation of graphite into anode materials. Morocco is an ideal location for battery material manufacturing due to its green energy resources, supportive government, and unique free trade agreements with both the United States and Europe. The battery supply chain is highly rigid and customised, meaning anode production facilities must be tailored to specific clients, batteries, and end-product vehicles rather than producing a generic commodity. Maintaining secure asset titles is the foundational requirement for mining companies to successfully operate and protect institutional investor capital in any jurisdiction. BEST MOMENTS "We are no longer really in the mining business, we're really in the... material sciences business, the transformation of graphite concentrate into what we call anode material." "You cannot just move the little Lego blocks around... We're making one product which is generic, but it's bespoke for the specific client, and that is true up and down the whole value chain." "You should never go for a project that is sub-economic just because it is in the US. You have to go where you have the best rocks." "It is very pleasant if you go to bed at night and you wake up the next morning that you still own the same asset as that you were owning that night before." GUEST RESOURCES  https://www.falconem.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/falconem/ VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Gerard O’Donovan, CEO of Kaoko Metals, a company taking a fresh approach to building a copper story through IPO, backed by a technically strong team and a portfolio of new assets in Namibia. Gerard brings significant experience in taking companies to market, and in this conversation we’ll explore why Kaoko has chosen the IPO route, what technically attracted him to these projects, and how his previous listing experience is shaping the strategy this time around. We’ll also get into why building a geology-led board matters, why copper, why now and importantly, how he thinks about jurisdictional risk in Namibia versus the broader African mining landscape. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS Kaoko Metals chose the IPO route to build a transparent, technically backed copper story in Namibia, raising $6.5 million to fund its exploration efforts. The company prioritises a board with deep geological expertise to navigate early-stage exploration and identify high-value assets effectively. Their flagship Chalcos project in Northwest Namibia shows significant surface mineralization, with copper grades reaching up to 69.6%. Namibia is highlighted as a top-tier mining destination in Africa, offering a stable regulatory environment and strong local support for new investment. BEST MOMENTS "If you want to find an elephant, you have to go to elephant country sometimes, and that's where we've gone to explore." "No one is an expert in all fields... having a bit of humility in this industry is pretty important and reaching out and surrounding yourself with people who know their field well." "The structural deficit [of copper] is growing... it’s driven by the technological world booming. Data centers and AI—that cabling is copper." "Our intention here is to spend money in the ground exploring... we want to start demonstrating scale." GUEST RESOURCES https://kaokometals.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaoko-metals-ltd/ https://x.com/KaokoMetals VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Charlie Forrest, CEO of Dingo, an award-winning Enterprise Predictive Maintenance Software solution for the Mining industry, that helps reduce major component failures, improve the reliability of assets and safely boost production while decreasing maintenance costs In this episode, we dig into what’s really holding maintenance teams back, from fragmented OEM systems and underused data to the challenge of turning early warnings into actual decisions on the ground. We also explore what Charlie is seeing across different operations, where AI is genuinely starting to move the needle, and what the best-run sites are doing differently when it comes to reliability If you care about getting beyond dashboards and into real operational impact, this is a conversation worth paying attention to. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many mining operations are inundated with data and dashboards but lack the time or tools to translate that information into actionable maintenance decisions. Effective predictive maintenance requires combining fluid analysis, telemetry data, and visual inspections to build a comprehensive picture of asset health. Successful sites like Newmont integrate maintenance as a core pillar of the business, breaking down silos between corporate strategy and on-the-ground operations. The next evolution of the industry lies in better wireless sensor technology to eliminate common cable failures and leveraging AI for deeper, streamlined insights. BEST MOMENTS "We've gone through this phase of collecting data and a lot of data over like 10 years, and now it's almost the opposite. Everyone's got too much data; they don't know what to do with it." "We're like that safety net or that safety blanket... if just one thing falls through the cracks, it could cost them millions." "The reality is that we sell into maintenance departments which aren't the most extroverted department... and you don't get many general managers or mine managers who actually come from maintenance. They usually come from production because production is king." "The two fundamentals in any SaaS business... is data and domain expertise. That will stand the test of time, and that's fundamentally what we have as a business.” GUEST RESOURCES Website: https://www.dingo.com/ Email: info@dingo.com LinkedIn page: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/dingo VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Malcolm Dorsey, CEO of Torr Metals, a junior miner in British Columbia, Canada, focusing on advancing its 100% owned copper-gold porphyry and orogenic gold projects across the region.   We dive into their flagship Kolos Copper-Gold Project in southern BC, unpacking the “system to source” story, what it really takes for a junior to move from proximity to majors into true relevance, and where Kolos sits on the discovery curve today.   We also touch on their Filion Gold Project in Ontario, and we’ll zoom out to the bigger picture: how junior explorers need to evolve in a world increasingly focused on secure, domestic supply chains and Tier-1 jurisdictions. Finally, we will speak about leadership.   This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org   If you want to know more about precious metals, check out The Gold Advisor, a free way to stay on top of the biggest moves in gold, silver, and mining stocks. Jeff Clark and the team break down what matters, why it matters, and where the best opportunities may be shaping up — with timely market insight, company commentary, and ideas investors can actually use. You can sign up here: https://thegoldadvisor.com/?refpartner=109 KEY TAKEAWAYS Torr Metals is focused on high-grade copper-gold porphyry systems in top-tier jurisdictions like British Columbia and Ontario, prioritising projects with excellent infrastructure access. Recent drilling at the Berta target has confirmed a meaningful hydrothermal footprint, providing the technical confidence to now hunt for the high-grade intrusive source. Success for a junior explorer in a major-dominated district depends on solving logistical or supply problems for aging nearby mines rather than just being located near them. The company’s long-term value is driven by "checking all the boxes" for majors: high-grade potential, district-scale repeatability, and integrated domestic supply chains. BEST MOMENTS "It’s important to really separate proximity from relevance... what you need to do is you have to solve a problem for those operators that are nearby." "Majors don’t just look for one deposit; they’re looking for districts, and they’re looking for accessible districts." "We’re chasing that system, structure, source... chasing something that has the potential to become an asset and not just a headline." GUEST RESOURCES Website – https://torrmetals.com/ Email – malcolmd@torrmetals.com Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/torr-metals-inc/ X - https://x.com/CopperGoldTorr VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this special series (Part 2 of 3) around HR and recruitment in the mining industry, we bring together three experienced HR leaders from across the global mining industry: Leanne Holmes, Head of People at Central Asia Metals, Paul Eagle, Vice President People & Culture at Evolution Mining, and Bridget Hunter, Group Manager Shared Services at Ivanhoe Mines. In this episode, the focus shifts from getting hired to progressing your career once you’re in the industry. The discussion explores what it really takes to move into leadership roles, stand out internally, and avoid common pitfalls that can stall progression. Drawing on experience across both operational and corporate environments, the panel shares practical advice on building a broad skill set beyond technical expertise, developing leadership capability early, and taking ownership of your own development. They also discuss the growing importance of digital skills, financial understanding, and continuous learning. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career or better understand how progression works within mining organisations, this episode provides clear, actionable insights to help you position yourself for long-term success. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit ⁠www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS Demonstrating leadership qualities and taking initiative beyond one's immediate job title is essential for being considered for promotion. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of operations beyond one's technical specialty facilitates internal mobility and effective cross-functional collaboration. Actively pursuing continuous professional development, through both formal qualifications like MBAs and informal skill-building courses, is crucial for upward career progression. Actively seeking internal mentorship and external sponsorship can significantly enhance career development by providing critical guidance and advocating for individual opportunities. BEST MOMENTS "The most effective way is to show leadership before you have the title... stepping up and leading a shift... or potentially volunteering for a project that stretches you." "Leadership isn't just about technical knowledge; it's about building that trust, putting safety first, and showing others that they can rely on you and leading by example." "One of the biggest pitfalls is getting too comfortable... mining is an industry that changes very quickly... if someone stops investing in their own development, they risk becoming stagnant." GUEST RESOURCES Paul Eagle: paul.eagle@evolutionmining.com https://au.linkedin.com/in/paul-eagle-80128740 Leanne Holmes: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/holmesleanne Bridget Hunter: https://za.linkedin.com/in/bridget-hunter-3a000230 VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Eduardo Landin, CEO of Hochschild Mining, an LSE-listed precious metals company that focuses on the exploration, mining, processing and sale of gold and silver across the Americas. In this episode, we’ll walk through Eduardo’s journey to leading one of the sector’s most established precious metals producers and take a closer look at Hochschild’s diversified portfolio across the Americas. We unpack the latest Q1 2026 update, dig into the turnaround at Mara Rosa, and explore what’s next for key growth assets like Monte Do Carmo and Royropata, particularly in the context of tightening silver supply. We also discuss the role of brownfield exploration in sustaining long-term growth, and what the future could look like for Hochschild from both an operational and investor perspective and a lot more. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit ⁠www.mining-international.org⁠ If you want to know more about precious metals, check out The Gold Advisor, a free way to stay on top of the biggest moves in gold, silver, and mining stocks. Jeff Clark and the team break down what matters, why it matters, and where the best opportunities may be shaping up — with timely market insight, company commentary, and ideas investors can actually use. You can sign up here: ⁠https://thegoldadvisor.com/?refpartner=109 KEY TAKEAWAYS Eduardo Landin's 20-year career with Hochschild Mining, progressing from an operations role to CEO, highlights his deep understanding of the company's evolution and core values. Hochschild prioritises brownfield exploration at its existing sites, such as the flagship Inmaculada mine, to efficiently expand resources and extend the life of its operations. The company focuses on maximising efficiency and maintaining low all-in sustaining costs across its diverse portfolio, which includes the San Jose mine in Argentina and the Mara Rosa mine in Brazil. Hochschild is actively developing new projects like Monte do Carmo in Brazil and Volcan in Chile, aiming to significantly increase production to 500,000 ounces of gold equivalent by 2029. BEST MOMENTS "I believe that the value of the mining business is what you discover." "Efficiency is everything in this business because you need to make sure that you are the one that produces at the lowest cost possible." "The most important thing for us is people, talent, and culture." "There is a real demand for gold... and with silver is happening exactly the same... there are only a few silver new deposits in the world." GUEST RESOURCES https://www.hochschildmining.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hochschild-plc/ VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Michael Hudson, CEO of Southern Cross Gold, a TSX and ASX listed mining company is exploring for epizonal gold in the Victorian goldfields. Their flagship Sunday Creek project has made big strides, going from a relatively small-cap explorer to a multi-billion-dollar story in just a few years, driven by extraordinary drill results, growing institutional backing, and increasing geopolitical interest in critical minerals like antimony. But behind the headlines, there’s a bigger story here, about what actually makes a discovery real, how companies transition from exploration success to something more durable, and what the mining industry gets right and wrong about building the next generation of projects. In this conversation, we’re going to unpack not just the Sunday Creek story, but the mindset behind repeated discovery success, the realities of raising capital at scale, and the challenges of developing projects in jurisdictions that aren’t always eager to say yes. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org If you want to know more about precious metals, check out The Gold Advisor, a free way to stay on top of the biggest moves in gold, silver, and mining stocks. Jeff Clark and the team break down what matters, why it matters, and where the best opportunities may be shaping up — with timely market insight, company commentary, and ideas investors can actually use. You can sign up here: https://thegoldadvisor.com/?refpartner=109 KEY TAKEAWAYS Michael Hudson emphasises the importance of transitioning from an exploration-focused R&D mindset to a rigorous, engineering-driven development phase to ensure project durability. The success of the Sunday Creek project is underpinned by a renewed geological understanding and strong political support for mining within Victoria. Establishing a "Social License" is mission-critical; success depends on transparent communication and the vast majority of local stakeholders being genuinely supportive. For junior miners, the secret to longevity is attracting institutional investors who understand long-term gating hurdles rather than seeking quick, high-cost capital. BEST MOMENTS "Stick to the major commodities if you want an easier life; go into the specialty metals if you want a complicated life." "Investors really want honesty and competency; they want you to be smart, but not the smartest person in the room—just frank about your errors." "If you think you're going to become a great geologist by looking at a computer, that is not going to happen; you need to see the rocks." GUEST RESOURCES https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-cross-gold https://www.youtube.com/@ASXSX2 https://x.com/SXGConsolidated https://www.southerncrossgold.com/ info@southerncrossgold.com VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Peter Bird, Managing Director & CEO of Akora Resources, an exploration company engaged in the exploration and development of a number of iron ore prospects in Madagascar We explore the company’s journey and its positioning within the evolving iron ore and broader critical minerals space, and discussing Akora’s core value proposition, what sets it apart in a competitive market, and the key milestones that lie ahead as the business continues to develop. We’ll also take a deeper look into Peter’s own career, his early foundations in mining, his experience at the highest levels of corporate and investment banking, and how that has shaped his leadership across global mining operations. Finally, we’ll touch on some of the themes that underpin the industry itself, from the importance of people and culture to mining’s role as a highly technical, innovative sector that continues to support modern life while striving to meet growing environmental and community expectations. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS Akora Resources’ Bekisopa project in Madagascar is a high-grade, low-impurity iron ore asset with a Post-Tax Net Present Value of approximately $150 million US, significantly higher than the company's current market cap. The project is designed as a low-capital intensity operation ($61 million US) featuring simple "rip and dig" mining and off-the-shelf processing technology. While copper is vital for electrification, high-quality iron ore remains a critical mineral necessary for building the infrastructure required for the global green revolution. While assets and funding are essential, the ability to listen, communicate openly, and manage diverse teams is the ultimate driver of success in isolated mining environments. BEST MOMENTS "The mining piece is incredibly simple: shallow pits, rip and dig, truck and chip. It’s that simple." "The one critical element in any business... is people. You need a good quality asset, appropriate funding, and people who can execute." "You can't live in a silo, there's no good being hyper-critical... you really must just take an open approach and have some conviction in what you're doing." GUEST RESOURCES https://www.akoravy.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/akora-resources/ VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Peter Krauth, one of the leading voices in the silver market, to unpack the past, present, and future of this often-overlooked metal.  We start by looking at silver’s long history as money and whether it could play that role again, before digging into the fundamentals of supply and demand, and the balance between industrial use and investment demand.  We also explore who should consider owning physical silver, and why, and then tackle the big question for investors: if silver stocks are known for volatility, do the potential rewards justify the risk? If you want to know more about precious metals then check out The Gold Advisor, a free way to stay on top of the biggest moves in gold, silver, and mining stocks. Jeff Clark and the team break down what matters, why it matters, and where the best opportunities may be shaping up — with timely market insight, company commentary, and ideas investors can actually use. You can sign up here: https://thegoldadvisor.com/?refpartner=109 This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Silver is in a significant structural supply deficit, with annual demand consistently exceeding production from mining and recycling by 10% to 20% over the last five years. Industrial use, particularly in solar panel manufacturing, now consumes about two-thirds of the annual silver supply, a substantial increase from about half just five years ago. The gold-to-silver ratio is a critical indicator for investors, suggesting silver is undervalued when the ratio is high, as it currently takes significantly more ounces of silver to buy one ounce of gold than the historical average. Silver stocks offer significant leverage over the price of physical silver, and a substantial revaluation of these stocks is anticipated as producers report higher profit margins from elevated silver prices. BEST MOMENTS "Silver has been used as money for about 5,000 years... really, frankly, silver and or gold have backed money... for about the last 4,000 to 5,000 years." "I believe we’re going to, ultimately at some point, revert back to some kind of physically backed money by precious metals in some way." "Silver has more than 10,000 industrial applications; it’s the second most used commodity after oil." "I do talk in the book about my ultimate price target for silver being $300... as a sensation, I was called sensationalist for it... but I think we could certainly see that kind of thing happen again." GUEST RESOURCES https://thegoldadvisor.com/?refpartner=109 https://x.com/peter_krauth https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-krauth/ www.silverstockinvestor.com https://www.amazon.ca/Great-Silver-Bull-Inflation-Profit/dp/1777953502 VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Tim McCutcheon, CEO of Talisman Metals, to talk about building a copper exploration company from the ground up. We start with Tim’s career and how it’s shaped his approach at Talisman, before diving into early field results from Fougnar, what they’re seeing on the ground, and how it compares to known systems like Tizert. We also explore how he evaluates projects, allocates capital in the early stages, and builds teams to maximise discovery success. Finally, we’ll zoom out to discuss sediment-hosted copper, Morocco’s growing role in critical minerals, and how to create value across a portfolio without losing focus.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Talisman Metals chose its project in Morocco because the copper mineralization outcrops at the surface, which eliminates the initial high-cost risks typically associated with finding a deposit. The project is located in the same sedimentary basin and just 25 kilometres away from the successful Tizert deposit, allowing the company to use similar geological models and local infrastructure. While the goal is to develop a standalone mine producing 20,000 to 30,000 tons of copper annually, the proximity to the major player Managem provides a natural "downside protection" through potential consolidation. Success in junior mining relies on a strict, step-by-step pyramid of risk removal, starting with low-cost mapping and geophysics before moving into expensive diamond drilling and feasibility studies. BEST MOMENTS "I got tired of basically commenting on what other people were doing—particularly in watching people make mistakes and seeing train wrecks way ahead of time." "The most important characteristic at this stage of exploration is enthusiasm. You can't be an entrepreneur and be pessimistic; it just doesn't work." "If the orientation of a sedimentary deposit is such that it's amenable to mining, you know exactly what you're pulling out of the ground... there's really no ambiguity between the two." GUEST RESOURCES https://talismanmetalsplc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/talisman-metals-plc/ https://x.com/TalismanMining VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Andy Dennan, CEO of Halo Minerals to explore the story behind their Playa Verde copper project in Chile and what sets it apart in today’s evolving mining landscape. We start with an overview of Halo Minerals and what drew the team to Playa Verde, before diving into why this tailings project could represent a more sustainable approach to copper development. Andy shares insights on the environmental advantages, as well as the key challenges the project faces as it moves forward. We also discuss the growing importance of copper in the global energy transition, and how projects like Playa Verde fit into the broader conversation around critical minerals, supply chains, and resource security. Finally, we touch on Chile’s role as a mining jurisdiction, common pitfalls around permitting and community engagement, Halo’s recent IPO in London, and what success looks like for the next 12 months. KEY TAKEAWAYS Halo Minerals focuses on ESG metals by reprocessing surface-accumulated legacy mining waste, effectively turning environmental liabilities into critical resource assets. Beyond copper recovery, the Playa Verde project includes a commitment to reduce arsenic concentrations to 47 parts per million or less, eventually returning the beach to the local community for recreational use. With copper demand driven by AI data centres, renewable energy, and EVs, projects in stable jurisdictions like Chile are becoming essential for global supply chain security. By processing pre-crushed tailings at the surface rather than traditional hard-rock mining, the project avoids the high energy costs, blasting, and long lead times associated with greenfield developments. BEST MOMENTS "It feels a lot less lonely being in the mining industry than the oil and gas industry... in the wake of that sort of ESG movement, people were really focused on the footprint globally of these heavy industries." "We get to make money while doing good for the world or operating with a lower environmental footprint than new greenfield mines." "We’re sort of one supply disruption away from $20,000 a ton copper price." "The value of a copper deposit today is more weighted by where it is and who it can be sold to without a 50% penalty... jurisdictions with free trade agreements with the US, like Chile, have become the most valuable real estate in the mining world." GUEST RESOURCES https://halominerals.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/halominerals/ https://x.com/HaloMinerals VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Mostafa Talaat, CEO of Ankh Resources, a company gaining attention for its exploration success at the Wadi Dara project in Egypt. With recent drilling and trenching delivering encouraging gold-copper results, Ankh Resources is positioning itself at the forefront of Egypt’s re-emerging mining sector. Mostafa brings extensive experience in the region, combining strong technical expertise with a clear vision for building a modern exploration company. In this conversation, we’ll explore the potential of Wadi Dara, the broader opportunity in Egypt, and how exploration companies like Ankh are navigating the path from discovery to development. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ankh Resources is leveraging a homegrown expert team to navigate Egypt’s new mining code and accelerate the transition from discovery to development. The Wadi Dara project has yielded significant high-grade gold and copper results, including a recent drill hole showing 102 meters of continuous mineralization. Egypt’s strategic location and established oil and gas infrastructure provide unique logistical advantages, such as the 7-to-7 to Dara accessibility from Cairo. The Egyptian government is actively working to increase the mining sector's contribution to the GDP from 1% to 5% through improved fiscal terms and international promotion. BEST MOMENTS "I was lucky to join the industry at that exciting time for Egypt's first gold mining history... in the modern history." "We are lucky that so far our drill rate success is like almost 100%... the results are bringing back better than what we expect them to find." "Egypt offers a North Africa stable region with a fresh mining code built for attracting investments and serious mining investors." "You can’t complete the AI technology required, you can’t go into the green energy transformation required, all this without having enough copper supply." GUEST RESOURCES https://ankhresources.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ankhresourcesltd/ https://x.com/Project_Ankh VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ X:              ⁠https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson⁠  YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast⁠  Web:        ⁠http://www.mining-international.org⁠ CONTACT METHOD ⁠rob@mining-international.org⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/⁠ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/