Dig Deep From Boom to Bust: Understanding the Structural Issues in Mining with Jamie Strauss
In this episode we chat to Jamie Strauss, CEO and co-founder of Digbee, a company working at the intersection of mining, capital markets, and sustainability. Jamie has spent decades observing the mining industry through multiple cycles—booms, busts, and long stretches where the sector struggled for relevance with investors and the broader public.
In this conversation, we’ll step back from short-term commodity noise and dig into the deeper structural questions facing mining today: what the industry keeps getting wrong, why ESG has become such a polarising concept, and where sustainability and credibility genuinely translate into financial value rather than narrative. We’ll also explore some uncomfortable truths about mine development and operation, the most under appreciated opportunities hiding in plain sight, and what ultimately breaks if the sector continues to rely on the same playbook as it heads toward 2026. We talk about execution, trust, and whether mining can evolve fast enough to meet the world’s growing dependence on its outputs—without losing its licence to operate along the way.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The mining industry often suffers from optimism bias, where management teams underestimate risks and overestimate timelines for project completion
- Despite skepticism surrounding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives, there is a growing recognition that responsible mining practices can lead to lower operational risks
- To regain trust, companies must communicate transparently about their operations and sustainability efforts, demonstrating accountability and responsibility to investors, communities, and regulators.
- Companies that effectively integrate sustainability into their operations tend to outperform their peers. By focusing on responsible practices, these companies can reduce risks and enhance their market position
BEST MOMENTS
"Every cycle, the industry convinces itself that this time is going to be different."
"The biggest problem with that in the current market is most of the money is coming from private equity, and they have seven-year lives, typically."
"The industry has done a terrible job of communicating this... We have just not proven it."
"If you can begin to demonstrate how you're taking care of your workers... you tend to end up with less problems."
GUEST RESOURCES
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiestrauss/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/digbee/
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: rob@mining-international.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast
Web: http://www.mining-international.org
CONTACT METHOD
rob@mining-international.org
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
Podcast Description
Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/