Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast Podcast

In this episode, we chat with Joanna Ponicka and Erlend Rongen for Equivest Metals, a company that uses AI-driven mineral systems models to pinpoint critical processes needed to form large mineral deposits, aiming to significantly increase exploration success. We discuss how Equivest was formed, the exploration space and the lack of funding, what it was like being part of BHP’s Xplor programme and how this has helped them as a business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Mineral exploration is inherently difficult due to the limited number of attempts geologists can make, unlike other fields where practice can lead to improvement. This makes it essential to adopt innovative approaches to enhance success rates. Despite the significant capital available in the mining sector, early-stage exploration is often underfunded. A shift in investment focus is needed to support the areas that yield the most discoveries. Equivest Metals is leveraging AI and machine learning to improve exploration success rates by analysing large datasets and identifying critical geological processes. This technology allows for faster and more accurate assessments compared to traditional methods. Participation in the BHP Xplor programme helped Equivest refine its strategy, focusing on improving mineral exploration success rates. The program provided valuable mentorship and resources, enabling the company to test and scale its methodologies. BEST MOMENTS "Exploration is actually really difficult... we don't get 10,000 tries. This is what makes mineral exploration such a difficult learning environment." "What we're trying to do in Equivest is that we're trying to use mineral systems to ask the right questions and answer those questions using AI and data." "There's more capital going towards brownfield exploration, which is considered safer. But as we see at results of exploration, this is what causing quite low success rates." "The ability of large language models to search for the right type of meaning within a large body of documents is incredibly powerful." 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 https://www.equivestmetals.com/ info@equivestmetals.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/equivest-metals/ https://x.com/equivest_explor ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat to Chris Gibbs, CEO & Executive Director of American Rare Earths, an Australian company that owns and explores rare earths projects in Wyoming and Arizona, USA, and is essential for clean energy technologies. With a degree in business studies, Chris has over 28 years of experience in the resource sector across the globe and is an innovative leader with a proven track record for implementing organisational change and delivering business results. He gives us an overview of American Rare Earths, updates on the projects, their relationship with the Critical Materials Institute, leadership, and culture within organisations, and health and wellbeing so a lot of content to unpack. KEY TAKEAWAYS The company is focused on rare earths and is exploring significant projects in Wyoming and Arizona. It aims to become a major producer of neodymium and praseodymium, which are essential for clean energy technologies. American Rare Earths recently received a $456 million letter of interest from the Ex-Im Bank, which will help finance the construction of their processing and refinery facility. Additionally, they have secured state funding from Wyoming to support their Cowboy State Mine project. The company is committed to advancing sustainable technologies in rare earth processing. They are collaborating with research organisations to explore cleaner methods, including the use of bacteria for separating rare earths, which could reduce chemical usage and environmental impact. Chris emphasises the importance of a strong organisational culture, likening it to a successful sports team. He believes that treating people well, fostering open communication, and creating an environment of trust are crucial for building a motivated and effective workforce. BEST MOMENTS "Our vision here is to create the next major rare earth company in this space. We've got a significant project in the United States, potentially the largest rare earth resource in the heart of the US." "The irony of this is the company is called American Rare Earths and here you are, you're talking to an Australian who's got a lot of experience in North America." "We're the only mining company, aside from ourselves, in Rio Tinto, who are actually partnering or a member of the Critical Materials Institute." "It's not just about physical wellbeing, it's about mental wellbeing. It's about just, quite honestly, about just trying to be better people helping each other." "Every incident and accident is preventable. Health and safety is key, but I always go a little bit further than just the health and safety." 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 https://americanrareearths.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-rare-earths/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfTk3D2fQZ5DSTMKbR1jMVw https://x.com/ARRLimited ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we have a returning guest who appeared back in July 2023 (Episode 353). Ignacio Salazar, CEO of Highfield Resources, who are an ASX listed potash company which focuses on the construction of its flagship low cost, low capex Muga Project in Spain and is forecasted to be one of the highest margin potash mines globally. Ignacio has a background in economics and law and has worked in the O&G industry with Shell before moving over to the mining industry back in 2009. As the CEO of Highfield Resources since 2020, Ignacio tells us more about the company and the journey he has been through, a current update on the project and the potash industry and what the vision is for the company. EMR Capital (has a stake in Highfield Resources) is going to be attending the upcoming IMARC Conference in Sydney on the 29-31st October at the Sydney Convention Centre so there’s a link below to purchase discounted tickets so you can meet like minded mining professionals at the event so be sure to get your ticket soon. KEY TAKEAWAYS Highfield Resources is nearing the construction phase of its flagship Muga potash project in Spain, having successfully navigated the permitting and financing stages over the past four years. The company secured a binding deal worth €220 million (approximately $240 million) in equity financing, which, combined with previous funding, brings the total to €550 million, sufficient to cover the project's capital expenditure and contingencies. Highfield has formed strategic partnerships with investors, including a significant group from Asia, which not only provides capital but also enhances access to markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The potash market is expected to remain strong in the long term due to increasing global food demand and declining arable land. However, short-term challenges include fluctuating prices influenced by geopolitical factors, particularly the roles of Russia and Belarus in the market. BEST MOMENTS "We are now practically ready, shower ready, as we like to say, for construction... huge, huge, big ticks on the boxes for permitting and financing." "This deal is about the 200 million euros from a group of investors plus there is an M&A transaction... done at a premium to our share price."  "The only way you can be more productive with less land to feed more people is through fertilisers, not like potash, nitrogen, phosphates." "We will be sixth, seventh global player globally in ranking... very confident that we really have the ingredients to make it successful." 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 IMARC: Register: https://hubs.ly/Q02M_gGS0  10% discount on Delegate Passes – DigDeep10 Free expo pass code - HJ5EG6 ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat to Mark Bennett, Executive Chairman at S2 Resources, an Australian company that aims to discover and develop high-value mineral resources, mainly gold and base metals in politically stable jurisdictions such as Australia and Europe. Mark is a geologist with over 30 years of experience in gold, nickel, and base metal exploration and mining predominately in Australia, West Africa, Canada,and Europe, and worked his way into executive positions over the last 15 years. Mark is also two times winner of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies "Prospector Award" for his discoveries which include the Thunderbox Gold Mine, the Waterloo nickel mine, and most recently the world class Nova-Bollinger nickel-copper mine. Mark gives us an overview of S2 Resources, the projects they are working on, and speaks about cultural and strategy within small and large companies which is a strong passion of his. He’s also going to be attending the upcoming IMARC Conference in Sydney on the 29-31st October at the Sydney Convention Centre so there’s a link below to purchase discounted tickets so you can meet Mark and other like-minded mining professionals at the event so be sure to get your ticket soon. KEY TAKEAWAYS The journey into the mining industry can be unpredictable, with opportunities often arising from taking risks and being proactive. Networking and applying for jobs, even in challenging times, can increase the likelihood of success. A strong organisational culture is crucial, especially in exploration where failure rates are high. A positive culture fosters resilience, innovation, and open communication, which are essential for navigating the ups and downs of the industry. S2 Resources focuses on exploring in stable jurisdictions and prioritises projects with the potential for significant discoveries. The company emphasises a strategic approach to exploration, balancing patience with the need to adapt and seize opportunities. Engagement with Traditional Owners: Building trust and respect with local communities, particularly Indigenous groups, is vital for successful mining operations. Effective engagement can lead to mutually beneficial agreements and a more sustainable approach to resource development. BEST MOMENTS "If you don't have a good culture, you just go crazy doing that. You've got to believe in what you're doing and you have to be adaptive as well."  "The irony will be, I think, that in 10 or 15 years' time, the people who most want a lower carbon emission future are going to find that the prices of commodities to create that are just astronomical."  "It's about quality, not quantity. People would come in in shorts and t-shirts."  "There's no certainty but you've just got to put it out there and by taking that risk... will put you in good stead in the front of the queue." 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 Social media: https://www.s2resources.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/s2-resources-ltd/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-bennett-06820541/ IMARC: https://imarcglobal.com/register 10% discount on Delegate Passes – DigDeep10 Free expo pass code - HJ5EG6 ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Travis Schwertfeger, Executive Chairman of Many Peaks, a junior miner focusing on adding value through cost- effective minerals exploration and discovery and who are advancing gold and copper projects in West Africa. Travis is a geologist with over 20 years of global industry experience primarily in gold and copper projects working across Australia, Africa, and South and North America. He discusses how Many Peaks formed, what they are looking to achieve in West Africa, and discusses the geology across West Africa and why it's unique about the region. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many Peaks is concentrating its efforts on mineral exploration in West Africa, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire, which is seen as a promising region for gold and copper discoveries due to its geological similarities to other prolific mining areas. The company is employing innovative exploration methods, such as auger drilling and hyperspectral imagery, to navigate the unique geological challenges of West Africa, including the presence of iron-rich layers that complicate traditional geochemical techniques. Many Peaks has three key projects in Côte d'Ivoire, with the Ferke project being the flagship. The company is building on previous exploration successes and aims to expand the known mineralization through systematic drilling. With a tight corporate structure and a current enterprise value significantly lower than comparable companies, Many Peaks presents an attractive opportunity for investors, especially with the potential for substantial re-rates following successful drill results. BEST MOMENTS "Côte d'Ivoire hosts the largest proportion of this greenstone belt. Over 30% of the Proterozoic terrain hosting gold is there, but proportionally it's seen the least amount of exploration versus those neighbouring countries." "We believe Côte d'Ivoire is quite ripe for a generation of discoveries over this coming decade." "We’re implementing a lot of auger drilling just to be able to drill through that cuirass... to get into the clay saprolite where you’ll see the true endowment of gold in the rock." "We have a very tight corporate structure... with a few successful drill holes, we would quite quickly see a substantial re-rate in terms of company valuation." 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 https://manypeaks.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/many-peaks-gold/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-schwertfeger-09745927/ https://x.com/ManyPeaksASX ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Gord Neal the CEO of World Copper, a listed junior miner who are an oxide copper-focused exploration, development, and production company with two proven resources, one in Arizona and the other in Chile. Gord has extensive experience in the metals and mining sector, as well as in the capital market, corporate governance, corporate finance, and investor relations, and has raised in excess of U$500M for various resources companies. Today, he discusses the journey of World Copper, the current state of the copper market, valuations in the junior space plus how the US elections could affect the mining industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS World Copper has two main assets: the Zonia Copper Oxide Project in Arizona and the Escalones Oxide Project in Chile. Zonia is positioned for quicker production due to its pre-stripped nature and existing infrastructure, while Escalones has a larger resource but faces permitting challenges due to recent government restrictions. The copper market is currently experiencing a significant deficit, driven by the increasing demand for copper in electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and infrastructure development. This demand is expected to rise as the world moves towards decarbonisation. Many junior mining companies, including World Copper, are facing valuation challenges, particularly those with market caps below $50 million. The current market conditions make it difficult for these companies to attract investment and gain attention. World Copper plans to conduct a verification drill program to confirm the presence of copper on leach pads at the Zonia project. Successful verification could significantly enhance the company's market valuation and support its move towards a bankable feasibility study. BEST MOMENTS "The biggest issue is we just don't have enough copper."  "If I can verify that there's $120 million worth of copper that's ready to be processed, any bank in the world is going to give you money."  "It's tough for the juniors... it's hard to get attention, it's hard to get capital."  "The market is a herd mentality... once that happens, everybody jumps 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 Website: worldcopperltd.com Email: gneal@worldcopperltd.com Phone: (604) 638-3287​ All Socials (Facebook, X, LinkedIn): @WorldCopperLtd ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Gavin Ferrar, who is now the new CEO of Central Asia Metals, a base metals producer on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and has a copper operation in Kazakhstan, and a zinc and lead mine in North Macedonia.  With a geology and finance background, Gavin has over 25 years of experience mainly working in the London investment banking sector focusing on debt and derivative financing for mining clients of Barclays Capital and equity and debt investments for Investec. He became the CFO of Central Asia Metals back in 2018 before stepping into the CEO’s shoes just recently. Gavin talks to us about his new role, how the company has progressed during his tenure, their ESG initiatives, and their business development activities especially with their recent investment into Aberdeen Minerals. KEY TAKEAWAYS Central Asia Metals operates two key assets: the Kounrad copper processing facility in Kazakhstan and the Sasa lead-zinc mine in North Macedonia. Both operations have shown strong profitability, with Kounrad achieving a 72% margin and projected copper production of 13,000 to 14,000 tons for the year. The company is transitioning to more efficient mining methods at Sasa, including paste fill and dry stack tailings, which enhance resource extraction, improve safety, and extend the mine's life to 2039. Central Asia Metals is committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, including a solar power project in Kazakhstan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). The company is actively seeking to expand its portfolio by acquiring additional cash-flowing assets and has invested in ventures like Camel X for greenfields exploration in Kazakhstan and Aberdeen Minerals, which shows promising geological potential. BEST MOMENTS "I think my elevation to the CEO is part of that continuity... two people who understand the business intimately, but are also very keen to drive Central Asia Metals into its next phase of growth." "We've achieved exceptionally high margins, and the recent results that we put out in September, the margins that we're achieving are around 72%, which is fantastic." "The benefits now is that we've got much more efficient extraction of that resource using much more selective mining techniques." "Our goal is to achieve a 50% reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030... this was part of that program in terms of getting there." 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 Website: https://www.centralasiametals.com/ Investor Relations Manager Richard Morgan 36 Carnaby Street London W1F 7DR  +44 (0) 20 7898 9001  richard.morgan@centralasiametals.com ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat to John Lee, CEO and Executive Chairman of Silver Elephant, a TSX & OTC listed mining company with growing silver production from its 100% owned Pulacayo Paca mining project in Bolivia. John has an Economics and Engineering degree, is a CFA charter holder and accredited investor who specialises in mining M&A, raising over $150 million through the TSX and TSX Venture Exchange for junior companies since 2009. Today, he’s going to talk through Silver Elephant, the political and economic risks operating in Bolivia, gives us more of an insight into the silver market, and discuss what the future holds for humanity and why it's important to hold physical gold and silver. KEY TAKEAWAYS John has over 25 years of experience in the mining industry, transitioning from investing in mining stocks to running mining companies. He has raised over $150 million for junior mining companies and has a specialisation in silver. Silver Elephant, formerly known as Prophecy, has been focused on silver since 2016. The Pulacayo project in Bolivia is one of the largest underground silver mines in the world, with over 107 million ounces of indicated silver and a production rate of close to 100 tons per day. Bolivia has experienced fluctuations in foreign investment, particularly under different political regimes. Despite challenges, the country has a strong mining tradition and is considered economically stable, with a growing infrastructure and community relations that are crucial for mining operations. Silver Elephant prioritises sustainability by ensuring environmental protection, local employment, and community training programs. The company aims to leave the project in better condition than it was found, focusing on safety and economic benefits for the local community. BEST MOMENTS "Bolivia is actually the sixth largest silver producer, despite all the lack of foreign investments. It actually produces more silver per year than Argentina." "My definition of ESG is to make sure that we provide economic benefits and skill training. We ensure that the safety and environmental protocols adhere to the absolute highest standards." "The resources are massive, so we don't rely on additional discoveries in order to expand our operations." "I think the reason for that is the metals haven't really caught up to inflation. So the mining companies really haven't delivered cash flow and dividend to 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 John Lee Email: jlee@silverelef.com John Lee Twitter: https://x.com/johnlee25893955Silver Elephant Twitter: https://x.com/SilverElMiningSilver Elephant Website: https://silverelef.com Silver Elephant Tickers: TSX: ELEF; OTCQB: SILEF ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Roshan Pujari, Founder and Executive Chairman of Stardust Power, who are a company that develops and operates lithium projects in the US to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage. They are developing a strategically located lithium refinery in Oklahoma, capable of producing up to 50K tonnes annually of battery-grade lithium. Roshan has over 20 years of analysis and deal-making experience as the Founder and CEO of VIKASA Capital, where he oversaw the firm’s energy transition business. Roshan explains the strategic outlook for Stardust Power with the lithium refinery, the US energy transition, and why they are focusing their activities in Oklahoma.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Stardust Power aims to develop North America's largest lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma, with a production capacity of 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium annually to support the growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage. The refinery's location in Oklahoma provides strategic advantages, including proximity to multiple sources of lithium brine and established transportation infrastructure, which helps mitigate risks associated with relying on single assets. Sustainability is a core value for Stardust Power, with plans to utilise electric production lines, zero liquid discharge technology, and sourcing power from renewable energy sources like wind and solar to minimise environmental impact. The company is committed to engaging with the local community in Muskogee, focusing on workforce training and education to prepare for the new green jobs created by the energy transition, leveraging the existing skilled workforce in the region. BEST MOMENTS "We saw a lot of investment going upstream into raw material production... but the critical gap in the supply chain was really refining capacity." "Sustainability is built into each step of our process... we're designing all of our trains as electric, so the production lines do not produce air emissions." "Oklahoma has always been at the crossroads of U.S. American leadership in the energy sector... it's a great place to start a new business." "We want to move appropriately, but we really want to move fast... we believe we're very close to that process from definitive supply upstream." 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 https://stardust-power.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/stardust-power/ https://x.com/SDST_Power www.youtube.com/@Stardust-Power https://www.instagram.com/sdst_power/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat to Mike Ralston, CEO of Blencowe Resources, who owns 100% of the Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda.  This is a huge deposit (estimated 2-3 billion tonnes) with proven high-grade end products (via substantial met test work, including the recently completed 600t bulk sample testing in China) and a 21-year mining license.  This project is now at Definitive Feasibility Study stage with first production in 2025.  Mike is a chartered accountant with 25 years of experience successfully developing businesses worldwide, including several in Africa where he has considerable expertise. He has been a senior executive and board member for several junior listed resource companies over the past 17 years and has raised over A$300m in debt and equity over that period. He discusses the history of Blencowe, educates us on the graphite market, how the Orom-Cross will move into production in the near term, and explains Uganda as a mining jurisdiction KEY TAKEAWAYS Blencowe Resources, established in 2019, owns the Orom-Cross Graphite Project in Uganda, which is estimated to contain 2-3 billion tons of high-grade graphite. The project is currently in the definitive feasibility study stage, with first production expected in 2025. The demand for graphite, particularly small flake graphite used in lithium-ion batteries, is anticipated to grow significantly, potentially reaching 3-4 million tons per annum by 2030. This growth is driven by the increasing production of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage solutions. Many graphite projects struggle to move from the definitive feasibility stage to production due to high operating costs, capital requirements, and the need for high-purity end products. The lack of new graphite mines entering production exacerbates supply constraints in the market. Uganda is recognised for its mineral wealth, including graphite, and the government is actively working to develop the mining sector. The stability of the government and recent changes in mining laws have created a more favourable environment for investment in mining projects. BEST MOMENTS "You need three things to make a project work: low cost to operate, low capital cost to build it, and high purity of end product." "The anticipated growth in the market is around the small flake product because that's what gets further purified and ultimately put into lithium-ion batteries." "There's not many, if any, graphite new graphite companies, mines going into production. While we're seeing this demand growth, we're not seeing a corresponding growth in supply." "Uganda is a great jurisdiction. It's stable, and the government's been running under the same government since 1986, so it's definitely got the stability factor." 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 https://blencoweresourcesplc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/blencowe-resources/     https://x.com/BlencoweRes ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Hayden Locke, CEO of Marimaca Copper who are a TSX-listed copper miner that have a flagship asset which is their Mari-maca Copper Project in Chile’s Antofagasta region which has the promise to become one of the most significant copper‐oxide discoveries in recent years. An engineer by background, Hayden is an experienced mining executive with a demonstrated track record in mining & metals, investment banking, private equity and technology having spent the latter part of his career developing and leading successful LSE and ASX-listed mining companies. Today he discusses the background of Marimaca Copper, their flagship project, what Copper holds in store for us and much more. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Marimaca Copper Project in Chile is one of only a few new copper oxide discoveries made globally in the last decade, highlighting its potential importance in addressing the growing demand for copper. The project is characterised by its all-oxide resource, which allows for a lower capital intensity compared to traditional copper concentrate projects. This includes the absence of tailings storage and a simpler processing method using heap leaching. Securing environmental permits is identified as the biggest risk facing the project. The company is focused on thorough preparation to ensure compliance and mitigate risks associated with environmental approvals. There is a consensus that underinvestment in copper exploration and production, combined with increasing demand driven by the energy transition, could lead to a significant rise in copper prices in the coming years. BEST MOMENTS "Marimaca is one of only 3 or 4 new copper discoveries that have been made globally in the last 10 years. That is a really remarkable and quite frightening statistic for such a fundamental commodity." "We think we'll have some of the best return on investor capital metrics in the market. The biggest challenges always with every mining project is environmental permitting." "There has not been enough money spent, particularly in exploration, to find new copper projects. What that means is, as demand increases, you need to be finding and bringing on new production." "We are very focused on becoming a copper producer and moving as quickly as we can to do that." 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 https://marimaca.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marimaca-copper-corp/ https://marimaca.com/presentations/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-locke-171aa220/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Mark Learmonth, CEO of Caledonia Mining, who are a gold producer with a 64% stake in Blanket Mine and other assets in Zimbabwe.  Mark has over 25 years experience in corporate finance and investment banking, predominantly in the resources sector in Africa and has been with Caledonia Mining for over 15 years and tells us about the history of the company, their project and how Zimbabwe is as a mining jurisdiction. KEY TAKEAWAYS Caledonia Mining has shifted its focus primarily to gold production in Zimbabwe, particularly through its flagship asset, Blanket Mine, which has been operational since 1907. The company initially explored cobalt in Zambia but pivoted to gold after acquiring Blanket Mine in 2006 for $4 million. The potential of Zimbabwe's gold resources was recognised as largely untapped due to historical challenges in the country. Navigating Zimbabwe's complex bureaucratic and foreign exchange control systems poses significant challenges for mining companies. Caledonia Mining has developed expertise in managing these complexities, which has contributed to its success in the region. Caledonia Mining is advancing the Bilbo's project, which has a resource endowment of 2.5 million ounces of gold. The project is expected to produce 150,000 ounces annually over ten years, with plans to upgrade its preliminary economic assessment to a feasibility study. BEST MOMENTS "Zimbabwe is incredibly prospective for gold... it's pretty much elephant country."  "The biggest challenge comes down to foreign exchange controls... if you don't know what you're doing, you just go round and round in small circles." "We have this unique ability to navigate the administrative channels to make it work."  "Our approach... is to maximise the NPV per share of Caledonia."  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 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/condor-resources/ Website: https://www.caledoniamining.com/X - https://x.com/CaledoniaMiningYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@caledoniaminingcorporation9285Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/caledonia-mining-corp-cal-/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Adam Wooldridge, CEO of Cobre Ltd who are a copper exploration and development company with a focus on the Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB) in Botswana, one of the most prospective areas globally for new sedimentary copper discoveries. Adam is an experienced geophysicist and geologist with over 25 years of experience in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, where he has worked in exploration management and consulting positions across a variety of deposit types specialising in large-scale multi-disciplinary target generation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Cobre Limited is a copper exploration and development company primarily focused on the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana, which is recognised as one of the most prospective areas globally for sedimentary copper discoveries. The company is exploring in-situ copper recovery methods, which offer advantages over traditional mining techniques, such as lower capital and operational costs, reduced environmental impact, and the ability to recover copper from lower-grade deposits. Participation in BHP's Xplor program has provided valuable insights into large-scale exploration strategies, emphasising a process-driven approach to identifying potential Tier 1 deposits rather than merely targeting specific sites. Cobre employs a three-pronged strategy that includes bulk-scale exploration for large deposits, strategic drilling for shorter-term returns, and a development story focused on advancing their flagship project. BEST MOMENTS "We found gravity hugely useful and we've basically taken the belt and broken it down into a series of sub basins... This allows you to be way more effective with your target generation." "If you can get your recovery rate to 40, 50 or 60%, you've got probably something on the lowest CapEx OpEx curve for mining." "The real key for us is if you have a higher grade zone and you use a traditional mining method, you're going to recover most of your ore body. Whereas here, you probably recover half." "The accessibility of your department of mines, for example, you can actually speak to people quite easily and have meetings with them." 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 W: www.cobre.com.au E: info@cobre.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-wooldridge-44a72788/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/cobre-limited/about/ X: https://x.com/cobrelimited  ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat to Dr Pat Foster, Head of Camborne School of Mines & Professor in Mine Safety at University of Exeter where he lectures and undertakes research into the health, safety, and working environment aspects of mining and quarrying. Pat is going to talk to us about the Camborne School of Mines and discuss the eagerly awaited restart of the undergraduate mining engineering degree and also the recent introduction of the degree apprenticeship in mining engineering and how people within the industry can apply plus much more. Please share this episode to help improve mining as a brand and get more people interested in our industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Camborne School of Mines is set to reintroduce its undergraduate mining engineering degree next year, following a pause in 2020 due to low student intake. This decision is driven by increased demand for graduates in the mining sector, particularly in light of the UK's critical metals strategy. A new degree apprenticeship in mining engineering has been launched, allowing students to work while studying part-time. This model enables apprentices to gain practical experience and earn a salary without incurring student debt, making it an attractive option for those entering the industry. The new mining engineering degree will feature a common first year with a focus on generic engineering skills, followed by specialised modules in subsequent years. This structure aims to attract a broader pool of students and enhance employability by integrating essential skills relevant to the evolving mining industry. The development of the degree apprenticeship involved collaboration with industry stakeholders, including the Mining Association of the UK. This partnership ensures that the curriculum meets the needs of employers and prepares students for the challenges of modern mining practices. BEST MOMENTS "The demand for critical metals has really spurred this introduction... Our industry probably has never been as vital as it is now. It's crucial to the energy transition, the green economy." "Mining engineering takes the best bits of other engineering disciplines... It's not just about mining. Many of my peers have gone on to great things as well." "We need to work with industry, professional institutions. We all have a role in doing this... We need to promote ourselves." "If we want to improve the image, the branding, get more people into our industry... this episode needs to be shared." 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 Degree Apprenticeship https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/degreeapprenticeships/programmes/mining/ The Mining Engineering part-time degree (which is the equivalent of the degree apprenticeship for international students) https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mining/miningb/ Contact email for Degree apprenticeships or the equivalent international part-time programme is: miningDAPT@exeter.ac.uk Full-time course: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mining/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Fabian Baker, MD of Kingsrose, an ASX-listed junior miner on a mission to unearth vital mineral deposits that will help drive the world’s energy revolution and develop these resources as a force for good within local communities and the environment with projects in Norway and Finland. Fabian is a geologist with more than 12 years of experience in the mineral exploration industry with experience in the Balkan and Nordic regions, where he has successfully identified and negotiated the acquisition of a number of significant gold, copper, and base metal advanced exploration assets during his career. Fabian discusses Kingsrose, how the company has developed since inception, and what they are looking to achieve moving forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS Kingsrose started with a focus on building the Way Linggo Gold Silver mine in Indonesia, which was successful but faced challenges leading to closure in 2020. The company then shifted its focus back to exploration. The Penikat project in Finland is one of the highest grade undeveloped PGE's deposits globally. The project was overlooked by other juniors due to historical factors and recent environmental designations, but Kingsrose is working on obtaining permits for drilling. Kingsrose has invested in building a significant in-house geo and sustainability team, which sets them apart from other junior miners who often outsource these roles. This approach helps in better community engagement and access to opportunities. Over the next 12 months, Kingsrose aims to advance its projects significantly, including obtaining permits for drilling at Penikat, ongoing exploration campaigns with BHP, and acquiring a more advanced asset to further grow the company. BEST MOMENTS "I think don't look for perfect. Don't expect too much. Just look for an opportunity to get involved."  "The reality is, The odds are stacked against us. We need really high quality teams with multiple opportunities that we cycle through and test."  "For me, people are the best possible resource for a business. I'm a big believer in that."  "We're seeing around the world countless examples of projects being held up and delayed for environmental or social issues. And quite frankly, things can be done better."  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 https://www.kingsrose.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kingsrose/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Scott Hicks, VP Corporate Development at Lumina Group who are a collection of junior mining companies exploring for base and precious metals across the Americas. Scott has worked on a variety of equity, debt, and advisory assignments in Canada and Australia over the last few decades. He plays major roles in the group with Lumina Gold, Strategic Resources, and Fuerte Metals and talks about each company, its projects, the country, and the general outlook for each of their assets. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lumina Gold is focused on unlocking three key aspects to get the project shovel ready by the end of 2025: exploitation IPA agreement, permits, and completing the feasibility study. Strategic Resources is working on securing feed for the pellet plant and finalising the project finance package in the first half of 2025 for construction to begin. Fuerte, formerly known as Atacama Copper, is focusing on drilling in Mexico at the Cristina project and unlocking surface access to drill the porphyry in Chile. The Lumina Group is actively looking for new opportunities and projects to further expand and grow their portfolio in the Americas. BEST MOMENTS "We've seen the Chinese involvement in Africa and South America continue to be strong."  "We're trying to lock down the feed with a trader to get the DR grade iron into the plant."  "We're trying to get Lumina Gold shovel ready in the next year and a bit."  "We need to educate our industry and improve the image and brand of mining."  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 https://luminagold.com/ https://strategic-res.com/ https://www.fuertemetals.com/news/atacama-copper-to-become-fuerte-metals/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Melanie Leighton, CEO of Titan Minerals, a junior miner focussed on discovering and developing Tier One copper-gold deposits in Ecuador’s southern Andean copper-gold belt. Melanie is a geologist with over 20 years of experience in the resource sector, spanning multiple commodities, deposits, and jurisdictions. She has held senior management and geological roles with Hot Chili Limited, Harmony Gold, Hill 50 Gold, and Northwest Resources, gaining practical and management experience within the areas of exploration, mining, resource development, stakeholder engagement, and investor relations. Melanie gives us an overview of Titan Minerals and its flagship Dynasty Gold project, how she got into the mining industry and what Ecuador is like as a mining jurisdiction, and much more. KEY TAKEAWAYS Titan Minerals is primarily focused on exploring and developing tier one copper gold deposits in Ecuador's southern Andean copper gold belt. The company boasts a team with extensive experience in the resources sector, including geologists with backgrounds in major mining companies like Newmont and Barrick. Titan Minerals utilises various exploration techniques such as collecting foundation data sets, systematic soil geochemistry, and regional aeromagnetics to drive their exploration efforts. Despite past challenges, the current Ecuadorian government is supportive of mining as a means to revitalise the economy, offering incentives and guarantees to attract foreign investment. The company's main focus is on the Dynasty project, aiming to double the current 3 million ounces of gold to 5-6 million ounces through resource drilling efforts and feasibility studies. Additionally, they are seeking joint venture partners for their copper projects. BEST MOMENTS "Ecuador, I guess the geology and the metallogenic belts are the same as what we see in sort of Chile, Peru and Colombia to the north, but Ecuador is kind of like a gap in the middle there."  "I entered the industry because I never wanted an office job, which ironically now a lot of my work is office based, but I really loved the idea of exploring adventures."  "The government do see mining as a big part of the future for Ecuador. They do see it as part of their strategy to revitalise the economy."  "I think there's a critical mass now that's building in terms of those majors and in a royalty streaming groups that are all invested significantly in Ecuador in recent years."  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 https://www.linkedin.com/company/titan-minerals-ltd/ https://twitter.com/MineralsTitan https://www.facebook.com/titanmineralssas/ www.titanminerals.com.au melanie@titanminerals.com.au ir@titanminerals.com.au ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat to Assheton Carter, CEO of TDi Sustainability, who are a global consultancy that help businesses all over the world to be more sustainable. They use their expertise to build responsible supply chains that work for people, for business and for the planet across many sectors including mining. Assheton is an expert and NED on responsible sourcing, sustainability standards, environmental markets, non-financial risk, and responsible investment. A track record of 30 years, with a focus on the resources sector and international supply chains of mining, metals, luxury jewellery, auto, and electronics. Today, he discusses the material change for renewables and responsible sourcing considerations for the clean energy transition. KEY TAKEAWAYS Assheton the importance of anticipating and understanding the evolving regulatory landscape and stakeholder expectations in the mining industry. TDI Sustainability offers a range of services to help mining companies navigate and exceed local legal requirements, including community engagement, biodiversity protection, and digital tools for compliance. The mining industry is experiencing a shift towards responsible sourcing and ESG principles, driven by increased regulatory controls, market demands, and the need for sustainable practices. Companies in the mining sector can benefit from demonstrating a commitment to sustainability by ensuring continued market access, attracting and retaining talent, and aligning with evolving societal expectations. TDI Sustainability's focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing aligns with the industry's growing emphasis on environmental and social responsibility, positioning them to support mining companies in meeting future challenges and opportunities. BEST MOMENTS "I think it's about anticipation. So you've got to sort of anticipate where things are headed, but then get granular about when the expectations are going to hit." "The timeline of those indigenous groups might be totally different and could span decades rather than years."  "There's something like 60 regulations around the world now, which have something to do with responsible sourcing or responsible supply chains."  "I think mining needs to be at the table when these things are being set." 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 https://www.instagram.com/tdi_sustainability/ https://x.com/TDIStrategies https://www.linkedin.com/company/tdi-sustainability https://www.linkedin.com/in/assheton-stewart-carter-31b8a11/ Email: admin@tdi-sustainability.com ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat with Michael Hudson, Managing Director of Southern Cross Gold, a junior miner exploring for gold and antimony in the Victorian Goldfields and working on their 100% owned flagship project at Sunday Creek, which is one of the best new grassroots discoveries in Australia with a globally leading high-grade hit rate for this stage of the project’s development. Michael is a professional geologist, explorationist, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in exploration, project development and management in Australia and internationally. Apart from being the MD of Southern Cross, he is also the founder of Mawson Gold and Hannah Metals, so has a strong pedigree in starting up mining companies. He discusses the journey of Southern Cross, their flagship Sunday Creek project, their community relations work, and shares the history of the Victorian Gold Fields in Australia so don’t miss this. KEY TAKEAWAYS Southern Cross Gold is a junior miner exploring for gold and antimony in the Victorian goldfields, with a flagship project called Sunday Creek. Victoria has a rich mining history dating back to the 1800s gold rush era, making it a significant mining state in Australia. Antimony, a critical metal used in defense applications, is a key component of the Southern Cross Gold project, contributing to its value and potential. Southern Cross Gold has actively engaged with the local community, including native title holders and municipal authorities, to ensure support and understanding for the project. With a focus on high-grade gold and antimony extraction, Southern Cross Gold aims to continue its drilling program to potentially reach 3 million ounces of gold equivalent, showcasing a promising future for the project. BEST MOMENTS "I was sixth generation from a little country town, the oldest inland town in Victoria, because it was one day stagecoach ride from Melbourne to this town called Kilmore for the diggers, not the diggers, literally the diggers who went to the goldfields."  "So it's sort of come back to where it all started and you know in my mid-50s I'm happy to be exploring in my backyard. In my 30s I would have dismissed it out of hand because I wanted to travel the world, which I did."  "Gold will pay for it, so we don't have to rely on the risk of the antimony price. It's not like a chemistry set, it's simple chemistry to extract it."  "We're drill baby drill. We're increasing our drill capacity. We put 60 kilometers into this over the last two and a half years. We're going to put 60 kilometers into it over the next year." 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: info@southerncrossgold.com.au Website: www.southerncrossgold.com.au YouTube: youtube.com/@ASXSXG LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-cross-gold/ X: https://twitter.com/SouthernCrossG3 ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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. 

In this episode, we chat to Chris Buncic, President & CEO of Condor Resources, who have been in business for more than 18 years as a junior explorer and project generator.  The company has been focused exclusively on Peru for the past decade and now has Joint ventured on three projects with other developers Chakana Copper, Element 79 Gold, and Teck Resources, retaining an economic interest in the projects through royalties or minority positions as well as receiving milestone cash payments along the way. Chris is a mechanical engineer and then followed an MBA in finance.  His background is in the equity markets before moving into the C-suite over 10 years ago having held CEO positions with a few exploration companies. Now the CEO of Condor Resources since April, he tells us the story behind the company, the key projects they are working on, and what Peru is like as a mining jurisdiction. KEY TAKEAWAYS The company has been focused exclusively on Peru for the past decade, with successful joint ventures on three projects with other developers. Chris's career journey from mechanical engineering to equity markets to CEO positions showcases the importance of being open to reinventing oneself. The difficulty in raising funds for exploration projects due to the current market conditions is impacting junior explorers like Condor Resources. The company is looking to obtain permits for upcoming drill programs at Pucamayo and Huiñac Punta, with a focus on community engagement for the Andrea project. BEST MOMENTS "I think the most important thing I've always thought of in my career is it's important to be able to reinvent yourself."  "I think people need to be open to the idea of changing. Everyone can have their long-term goals, but I think it's important to change things up rather than get stuck in something for 30 years."  "Peru is a very mining-friendly jurisdiction. They have a very good investment climate." "It's been somewhat self-funding. And, you know, I think that what we're seeing is, well, firstly, we're impacted because other companies are having a hard time raising money for projects that may or may not be good." 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 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/condor-resources/ X: https://x.com/condorresources Website: www.condorresources.com Contact: info@condorresources.com ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. 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.