Avsnitt
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In this episode, we chat with Jorge Ganoza, CEO of Fortuna Mining, who are multi-listed Canadian-based precious metals mining company established in 2004, with five operating mines and an advanced exploration project located in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mexico, Peru, and Senegal.
Jorge is an experienced geological engineer who has worked on many mineral exploration, mining, and business development projects throughout Latin America and has worked in senior levels for several private and public Canadian junior mining companies during his career. He co-founded Fortuna Mining back in 2004 and shares his and the company’s journey since then, an update on all the projects, how they contribute to their local communities, their social and economic development of local communities and what is the future strategic direction of the company.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Since its inception in 2004, Fortuna Mining has grown from a small startup with limited resources to a significant player in the mining industry, generating nearly $1 billion in sales and employing over 5,000 people across multiple countries. The company strategically expanded into West Africa in 2021, acquiring Roxgold and establishing the Séguéla mine in Côte d'Ivoire as its flagship asset. This move was driven by the region's promising mineral endowment and growth potential. Fortuna Mining actively invests in local communities, contributing approximately $8 million annually to initiatives focused on infrastructure, education, health, and sustainable economic development. The company emphasises training local workers to develop skills that can be utilised beyond the mining sector. The rise of resource nationalism in West Africa has led to discussions about adjusting tax breaks and local content requirements. Fortuna Mining views these discussions as a natural evolution of the industry and is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with governments. The mining industry is increasingly held to higher standards of environmental and social governance (ESG). Fortuna Mining prioritises transparency and responsible practices, including adopting global standards for tailings management and conducting materiality assessments to focus on impactful sustainability efforts.BEST MOMENTS
"We set out early on with big aspirations... always trying to balance that long-term vision with the short-term challenges that we face here in the industry."
"The mineral endowment, the capital efficiency to build mines, the growth that the region has exhibited is no secret... the amount of opportunity that we see emerge is second to none."
"Mining has always been a frontier business. So you must be willing to play in the frontier if you want to be in the mining business."
"We recognise that what we have is a concession, but it is their asset... it gives you a whole different sense of responsibility in how you engage with the nation."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
GUEST SOCIALS
Email: [email protected]
Website: fortunamining.com
X: https://x.com/fortunamining
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fortunamining/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fortunamining
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
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.
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In this episode, we chat to John Welborn, Executive Chairman of Fenix Resources, is a highly profitable, fully integrated mining, logistics and port services business with assets in the Mid-West region of Western Australia. The Companies flagship operations is their Iron Ridge Iron Ore Mine which is a premium high grade, high margin, direct shipping iron ore operation located approximately 360km northeast of Geraldton that hosts some of the highest-grade iron ore in Western Australia.
John is a Chartered Accountant and a former professional rugby player and Wallaby, developing his career in the mining industry over the last decade in executive management and board positions with a handful of companies. As the executive chairman of Fenix Resources, he’s going to share his journey from playing professional rugby moving into the resources sector, the history of Fenix Resources, their relationships with indigenous community, overview of the iron ore industry and much more.
John will be attending the Resourcing Tomorrow Event (3-5 December, London) which is Europe's largest mining event, designed to foster innovation, drive collaboration, and accelerate growth in the mining industry. Use code DIGDEEP10 for a 10% discount on Delegate Passes when you register here: https://hubs.ly/Q02WXjzd
So grab your tickets now and hopefully we will see you there
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Fenix Resources is a rapidly expanding iron ore producer in Western Australia, known for its unique approach to logistics and operations, including the use of road transport instead of traditional rail systems. The company places a strong emphasis on building relationships with local communities and indigenous groups, ensuring that their operations benefit the local population and respect cultural heritage. Technological Integration: Fenix Resources leverages advanced technologies, including AI for fleet management and driver training, to enhance operational efficiency and safety, particularly in their haulage operations. Fenix Resources aims to triple its production from 1.3 million tonnes to 4 million tonnes per annum by early 2025, with a focus on sustainable growth and profitability in a volatile iron ore market.BEST MOMENTS
"I think the connection between running mining companies and being a part of a rugby team is really obvious... It's about building teams to be successful."
"We believe... that we can make smaller capital investments with quicker capital returns based on known margins."
"We don't believe that we need a railway to deliver low cost, high quality, efficient bulk commodity transport."
"Our opportunity is to revalue that investment and monetise it... providing value across the value stream to the Wiradjuri American people, to the state government, and certainly to the Midwest."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
GUEST SOCIALS
Website: https://fenix.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fenix-resources/
X: https://x.com/Fenix_Resources
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@fenixresourcesltd452
Email: [email protected]
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
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.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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In this episode, we chat with Edward Gosselin, CEO of Kobo Resources, a Canadian listed growth-focused gold exploration company with a compelling new gold discovery in Cote d’Ivoire, one of West Africa’s most prolific and developing gold districts, hosting several multi-million-ounce gold mines.
Edward has a background in Law and became the CEO of Kobo Resources over a decade ago so in this episode he shares his and the companies journey, the partnerships they have developed, updates on their project, their strategic relationship with Mota-Engil and Côte d'Ivoire as a mining jurisdiction.
Edward will be attending the Resourcing Tomorrow Event (3-5 December, London) which is Europe's largest mining event, designed to foster innovation, drive collaboration, and accelerate growth in the mining industry. Use code DIGDEEP 10 for a 10% discount on Delegate Passes when you register here: https://hubs.ly/Q02WXjzd0
So grab your tickets now and hopefully we will see you there
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The partnership with Mota, a leading EPCM company, enhances Kobo's capabilities by providing engineering expertise and resources, allowing for more efficient project development and potential cost savings. The Kossou gold project is strategically located near key infrastructure, including proximity to a power dam and existing roads, which reduces operational costs and enhances exploration efficiency. Kobo Resources emphasises a careful approach to capital allocation, focusing on cost-effective exploration methods to maximise the impact of their funding and maintain investor confidence. The company is committed to supporting local communities through initiatives like the Kobo Soccer Cup and plans to drill water wells, demonstrating a focus on social responsibility as they advance their projects.BEST MOMENTS
"Cote d'Ivoire was a great opportunity for exploration because there was a disconnect... 35% of the Birimian formation of West Africa is within the boundaries of Cote d'Ivoire."
"Having them on board with us is like having a partner that has all this engineering capability... It gives us a lot of flexibility."
"We took it step by step... But when we were ready to put the drill in, we knew that we should be getting good results down the road."
"Cote d'Ivoire has become a sought-after destination for mining investment amid regional geopolitical uncertainties."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
GUEST SOCIALS
Website: https://www.koboresources.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kobo-resources-inc/
X: https://x.com/koboresources
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
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.
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In this episode, we chat with Paul Ferneyhough, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Eldorado Gold Corporation, a listed gold and base metals producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Türkiye, Canada and Greece.
As a qualified chartered accountant with a degree in Physics, Paul has over 20 years in the resources sector specialising in finance, investor relations, strategy, commercial, planning, and business performance management. He gives us an overview of Eldorado Gold, an update on their projects, how they work with Indigenous communities, how they prioritise sustainability and responsible mining, financial strategy, and what we can learn from the oil & gas industry.
Paul will be attending the Resourcing Tomorrow Event (3-5 December, London) which is Europe's largest mining event, designed to foster innovation, drive collaboration, and accelerate growth in the mining industry. Use code DIGDEEP10 for a 10% discount on Delegate Passes when you register here: https://hubs.ly/Q02WXjzd0
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Eldorado Gold is a growing precious metals miner with operations in Canada, Turkey, and Greece. The company is focused on increasing production, with significant projects like the Skouries mine expected to boost production by 40% over the next two years. Eldorado Gold prioritises sustainability through its Sustainability Integrated Management System (SIMS), ensuring compliance with environmental and social obligations. The company is committed to using advanced practices, such as dry stack tailings, to minimise environmental impact. The company emphasises building strong relationships with local communities in its operating regions. This includes investing in education, healthcare, and local employment, as well as addressing community concerns about environmental impacts. Eldorado successfully secured financing for the Skouries project through partnerships with Greek banks and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This collaboration highlights the importance of aligning financial strategies with local and regional development goals.BEST MOMENTS
"I think it really was a very important part of the experience and the leadership that I now bring into the mining sector."
"We want to be operating in places where people want us."
"Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do."
"We prefer to employ local people as much as we can, especially in our operating assets."
"If an opportunity comes up, grab it with both hands, see what happens, take a chance because it can completely change your life."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
Website: https://www.eldoradogold.com/
Eldorado Gold on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eldorado-gold-corporation
Eldorado Gold on X: https://www.twitter.com/Eldorado_GoldPaul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ferneyhough/
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
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.
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In this episode, we chat with Mark Travers, CEO of Brazilian Nickel, a junior mining company who are planning to start nickel production in the future from the world’s first stand-alone nickel laterite heap leaching operation at its Piauí Nickel Project in Brazil.
Mark has over 20 years in the mining industry with Inco Limited and Vale and held progressively senior roles in legal, institutional relations, communications and sustainability. Taking the helm at Brazilian Nickel 18 month ago, Mark takes us through his journey, how Brazil is developing as a mining jurisdiction, and how Brazilian Nickel are navigating the regulatory landscape in Brazil, plus an overview of the Nickel market globally.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Brazilian Nickel is pioneering the use of heap leaching technology for nickel laterites, aiming to establish a more economical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional high-pressure acid leaching methods.
The flagship Piauí Nickel Project in Brazil is expected to produce approximately 26,000 to 27,000 tons of nickel per year with a mine life exceeding 30 years. The project is nearing construction readiness, with a completed feasibility study and necessary permits in place.
Nickel prioritises sustainability, boasting low carbon intensity and no tailings facilities. The company has received Nickelmark accreditation for responsible production, emphasizing its commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
The nickel market faces challenges due to current economic conditions, particularly in China and Indonesia. However, there is a growing need for diversified supply chains and low-carbon nickel, positioning Brazilian Nickel to capitalise on future demand as the electric vehicle market expands.
BEST MOMENTS
"We want to be part of that building out and diversification of the supply chain for electric vehicle batteries being built outside of China."
"The Piauí Nickel Project is based in Piauí State in the northeast of Brazil... it will produce on average about 26,000 to 27,000 tons of nickel per annum."
"Sustainability is at our core... If we're going to say that this is the product to build a supply chain for electric vehicle batteries, then you need to have those credentials."
"We need to diversify supply chains to build upon the Indonesian supply... and you're going to need good nickel with strong ESG credentials, low carbon nickel."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
Website - https://www.braziliannickel.com/
X - @BrazilianNickel (https://x.com/BrazilianNickel)
LinkedIn – Brazilian Nickel (https://www.linkedin.com/company/brazilian-nickel-ltd/)
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
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.
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In this episode, we chat with Scott Winter, MD of the Critical Minerals Group, who are focused on the critical minerals required for energy storage and renewable energy. Their strategy involves acquiring, developing and producing critical mineral deposits essential for a sustainable future. Their aim is to reduce dilution and drive early-stage revenues through strategic partnerships and corporate transactions to add value to shareholders while operating to the highest ESG standards.
Scott is an experienced mining engineer with almost 30 years working across all aspects of mining exploration, development, engineering, financing and operations working for the likes of BHP, Thiess and Perenti Group. He gives us an overview of Critical Minerals Group and their strategy moving forward, a project update, an update on the vanadium and electrolyte market and how the government is supporting their initiative.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Critical Minerals Group is concentrating on vanadium, particularly its use in energy storage and renewable energy applications. The company aims to produce vanadium pentoxide and further downstream to create vanadium electrolyte for batteries, tapping into the growing demand for renewable energy solutions. The company has established strategic partnerships, including a significant shareholding from Idemitsu, and is receiving support from the Queensland government, which includes grants and infrastructure development to facilitate the growth of the vanadium industry. Critical Minerals Group has outlined a clear development timeline, with a pre-feasibility study expected by the end of the year and plans for a final investment decision (FID) by mid-2026. The company is also building a demonstration facility for electrolyte production, aiming to produce its first litre by the end of next year. The vanadium market is projected to grow significantly, with increasing demand for vanadium batteries in renewable energy applications. Australia is positioned to become a key player in this market, with several companies looking to develop vanadium mines and electrolyte production facilities to support the energy transition.BEST MOMENTS
"The majority of the manufacture of vanadium electrolyte occurs in China. There are some massive batteries that are under construction or have been constructed in China."
"Our primary focus is vanadium for the battery market, and we'll take some value out of high-purity alumina and molybdenum as we go through."
"It's about looking at the way we can extract those and create value out of them with very little additional capital, if any at all."
"The next 12 months is very clearly mapped out and is a big step ahead of us. We'll be looking for partners to assist with the development of the facility."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
Website: criticalmineralsgroup.com.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/critical-minerals-group/
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
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.
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In this episode, we chat with Robert Eckford, CEO of Rua Gold who are a junior mining company that specialises in gold exploration and discovery and have two highly prospective land packages in New Zealand.
With a Chartered Accountant designation and a Master of Science in Mineral Economics, Robert began his career as a mining industry auditor and consultant at EY, before moving on and becoming a founding member of two successful mining ventures, before talking the helm as CEO of Rua Gold. We talk about Rua Gold, New Zealand as a mining jurisdiction and the new permitting laws that have been introduced to fast-track permitting, the junior market space, and much more so don’t miss it.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The journey into the mining industry can be diverse, with backgrounds in finance, geology, or engineering all leading to successful careers. Continuous learning and adaptability are crucial, as demonstrated by the transition from auditing to hands-on mining operations. Recent political changes in New Zealand have led to a more favourable environment for mining, including the introduction of a fast track approval bill that significantly reduces permitting times from years to months, encouraging investment in the sector. The emphasis on high-grade gold projects is critical for success in the current market. High-grade assets are more economically viable, especially in inflationary environments where low-grade projects may struggle to maintain profitability. The junior mining sector faces funding challenges, with many companies struggling to deliver on their promises. Successful fundraising often hinges on a company's reputation and the ability to demonstrate tangible results from investments.BEST MOMENTS
"The CEO role is all-encompassing... you never have the same day twice. You're always dealing with different issues in the business, different challenges to overcome."
"New Zealand is open for business and we want mining in New Zealand... the fast track approval bill aims to take permitting down to six months."
"The worst thing to have in a high inflationary environment is a low grade asset... you want to be moving as little as possible."
"If you want to be a smart mining investor... look at the margins, look at the grades, and grade is always king."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
https://ruagold.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rua-gold/about/
Subscribe to their newsletter: https://ruagold.com/contact/
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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
https://www.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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
Website: worldcopperltd.com
Email: [email protected]
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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
Website: https://www.centralasiametals.com/
Investor Relations Manager
Richard Morgan
36 Carnaby Street
W1F 7DR
+44 (0) 20 7898 9001
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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
John Lee Email: [email protected]
John Lee Twitter: https://x.com/johnlee25893955
Silver Elephant Twitter: https://x.com/SilverElMining
Silver Elephant Website: https://silverelef.comSilver 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: 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
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.
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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: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcastWeb: http://www.mining-international.org
W: www.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
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.
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