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Welcome to A Rock and A Hard Place, a podcast brought to you by Mineral Choices. In each episode, Dr Saleem Ali and Thomas Hale speak to experts about the integral but too often hidden role of minerals in our modern world. From complex communications infrastructure to next-generation clean energy solutions, minerals are the key to unlocking a brighter and sustainable future. However, supplying enough minerals to meet the world’s ever-increasing demand is a significant challenge. Stuck with a choice between accelerating conventional mining activities and finding new alternative mineral resources, what is the global solution to this global problem?
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Join us for another episode with Courtney Onstad, a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. In this episode we discus some of the best practices and methodologies that should be implemented in the geoscience communication space. Courtney also emphasizes the critical importance of early education and making good impressions with kids who may grow up to solve our future energy and mining challenges. We also discuss the role of mineral literacy organizations and thei...
On this episode, I am joined by Courtney Onstad, a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, studying geoscience communication. Her research focuses on how science communication theory can inform geoscience communication practice, particularly in informal educational settings. Courtney first defines the concept of geoscience communication and how we can best implement it in a variety of academic, professional and public settings. We also discuss the importance of K-12 edu...
Join us for another conversation with Dr. Lynda Lawson, Senior Fellow at Queensland University’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI). In this episode, Dr. Lawson highlights the roles of women in ASM and the gendered impacts in both the LSM/ASM sectors. The role women play in mining across many of Dr. Lawson’s field locations are incredibly important, not just from sorting, processing, and mining, but also through rehabilitation to improve former mining sites. Dr. Lawson also highlights...
Join me for part two of my conversation with Erika Ilves, Head of Strategy & Business Development at The Metals Company as we discuss some of the opportunities of deep-sea mining and the real challenges and obstacles still being dealt with politically, socially, and economically in the field. Erika also provides some insights on how we can begin to engage in thoughtful discussions on where we source our metals and the immense challenges of a metal-intense energy future. With our opt...
Join me on this exciting episode as I speak with Erika Ilves, Head of Strategy & Business Development at The Metals Company, about the fundamentals behind deep-sea mining. We start out discussion off by learning about what deep-sea mining is and the diversity of mineral resources in the ocean. Erika informs viewers on the different types of metal resources found within these deposits and why TMC has decided to focus its efforts on deep-sea nodules. We also discuss the techniques and proce...
Join us for part 2 with Hugh Brown as we identify some of the common challenges in ASM he has observed throughout his travels. We also learn more about how his photography attempts to bring humanity to these important issues, rather than dismissing the reality of millions who depend on the sector to survive. Hugh also provides some commentary on the common ASM myths he often hears and tries to explain how the reality of these challenges are much more complex and difficult to address than simp...
Join us for a timely discussion about the artisanal and small-scale mining sector with Dr. Lynda Lawson, Senior Fellow at Queensland University’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI). In this episode we provide a clear definition and description of artisanal mining, small-scale mining, and large-scale mining and the various environmental, social, and governance challenges behind them. Conversations in the news and public discourse have vilified the ASM sector, with photographs of children in ...
Join us for the second episode with Dr. Anna Broughel as we discuss the importance of not only educating future mining engineers but also international affairs students and political scientists about the mineral challenges facing society. We explore why it is essential that educational institutions in Washington D.C. teach about the mineral security nexus and the upstream challenges behind the energy transition. Anna also emphasizes the importance of energy communication, or the a...
Join myself and Dr. Anna Broughel, Director of Energy Leadership at Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI), VP of Communications at the U.S. Association of Energy Economics, and adjunct lecturer in energy economics at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University as we discuss the importance of energy leadership and the nexus of energy policy and material demands. It is essential that aspiring young professionals recognize that all of our energy polic...
In episode two of my conversation with Simon Jowitt, we explore the ongoing geopolitical challenges facing the extractive sector. Whether it is global pandemics, competition with China, human rights challenges, or political insecurity in key mining regions, supply chains are facing increased political attention. It is becoming increasingly difficult as a geologist and mining engineer to be fully isolated to larger political dynamics at play across the mining sector going into the future. Simo...
Join us for season four of A Rock & A Hard Place! In this first episode, I sit down with Dr. Simon Jowitt, associate professor of economic geology at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. We look at the field of economic geology, or the scientific discipline concerned with the distribution of mineral deposits, the economic considerations involved in their recovery, and the assessment of the reserves available. Simon also discusses some of his latest work on looking at the impact of COVID-19...
Join us on this episode as we speak to Libby Pritchard, the Occupational Health, Safety and Sustainability Director for the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association (NSSGA). In this episode we will discuss the role of aggregates (stone, sand, and gravel) in society and how they will literally "pave" the way for the infrastructure necessary to facilitate the energy transition. Whether it is the roads that you will drive your electric vehicle on, the construction materials for the sma...
Join us for part two with Corby Anderson as we discuss the challenges of NIMBY, or "Not In My Backyard," which threatens the successful development of mines and facilities to help reduce foreign influence in material supply chains. Corby also talks about his past work in Ukraine and how disruption to critical supply chains in the region have brought increased awareness around energy independence and mineral supply chain vulnerabilities. Finally, Corby talks about whether or not a fully integr...
Corby Anderson, director of both the Kroll Institute for Extractive Metallurgy and the Center for Resource Recovery and Recycling at the Colorado School of Mines, joins us once again to discuss some of the generational workforce gaps in the mining sector and the "timeline problem" of domestic critical mineral development. For over 30 years, the US disinvested in the skills necessary to take on todays critical mineral challenges. Now, as universities and geological surveys across the cou...
In Part 2 with Adam Simon we discuss several components of effective geoscience communication and some of the current research projects Adam is involved with at the University of Michigan. We also discuss some of the current issues around the perception of mining, permitting timelines, and general NIMBY challenges which could impact the successful implementation of recent political announcements. Finally, we have a brief conversation about the geopolitics around mineral supply chains, specifi...
Join us for season 3 of A Rock & A Hard Place! Dr. Adam Simon joins Thomas Hale to speak about the current challenges of labor shortages in the mining sector and the importance of educating new generations about the essential role mining plays in society. Dr. Adam also speaks about one of his personal passions, the history of mining and how it shaped the future of the industry.
Our host Thomas Hale continues his discussion with Dr Sarah Carmichael, professor at the Department of Geological and Environmental Science at Appalachian State University. They cover the often unexpected political bipartisanship both for and against mining, the legal loopholes exploited by some irresponsible mine operators, and the need to engage with communities respectfully in areas with potential for mineral extraction.
Our host Thomas Hale is joined by Dr Sarah Carmichael, professor at the Department of Geological and Environmental Science at Appalachian State University. They discuss biological mineral formation, the untapped potential of microbiology in helping us fight climate change, and how to teach of students about the past, present and future of mining in Appalachia and beyond. Follow us on Twitter
Steve LeVine, editor of EV battery publication The Electric, continues his conversation with our host Thomas Hale. They address the need to educate the next generation about critical mineral security, the effect of the Ukraine invasion on global supply chains and the challenges of NIMBYism about mining in the USA. Follow us on Twitter
This week, our host Thomas Hale is joined by Steve LeVine Editor of The Electric, which focuses on the pioneering developments in electric vehicle batteries. They discuss Steve’s 18-year career as a foreign correspondent, the global race to mass produce electric cars, and the need to engage the public with the scientific challenges we face.
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