On The Rocks

Join Emily King and guest Jon Mortensen, Global Chief Technology Officer for Enterprise Asset Management for IFS, as they explore the intersection of technology and the mining industry. From discussing the crucial role of software solutions in asset management to addressing sustainability challenges, delve into how innovation is reshaping mining operations worldwide.

In this episode of On the Rocks, we catch up again with Tara Christie, President and CEO of Banyan Gold Corp. Emily and Tara delve into the current state of gold prices, market dynamics, and the challenges and opportunities facing junior exploration companies. From analyzing the surge in gold prices to discussing strategies for effective capital management, they provide valuable insights drawn from their experience in the mining industry. The conversation also explores the importance of innovation in mining operations and the complexities of balancing technological advancements with community engagement and job creation. Grab a drink and dig in!

In this episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King is joined by Dr. Steven Schafrik, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, where he intersects the worlds of mining engineering and bourbon production. Digging into the unexpected synergy between these two fields, Dr. Schafrik shares how mining technologies are being applied to solve unique challenges within the bourbon industry, such as warehouse corrosion and maturation processes. This episode not only uncovers the scientific crossover but also celebrates the innovative collaboration that drives both industries forward. Tune in for a deep dive into how the science of mining is enhancing Kentucky's cherished bourbon legacy!

In this episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King welcomes Ira Gostin, a seasoned professional in investor relations and capital markets strategy. Gostin delves into his background in marketing and communications, emphasizing the crucial role of storytelling in connecting mining companies with investors. He discusses the impact of the "Robinhood Era" on retail investment, the significance of understanding audience demographics, and the necessity for mining companies to adapt their communication strategies to reach diverse investor groups effectively. Gostin also provides practical advice for investors new to the mining industry, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of mining and investor relations!

In this transformative episode of the On the Rocks Podcast, hosted by Emily King and sponsored by KPI Mining, experts Benny Cohen, Matheus Faria, and Giovanni Santos dive deep into the world of mining optimization through the lens of stochastic mine planning. They shed light on how traditional challenges of uncertainty in mining operations can be mitigated by embracing stochastic optimization techniques, originally honed in the oil and gas industry. The discussion explores the significant impacts of this approach, including improved Net Present Value (NPV), enhanced recovery rates, and more accurate forecasts, thereby enabling mining companies to make better-informed decisions and optimize their operations for higher efficiency and profitability.

In this enlightening episode of the On the Rocks Podcast, host Emily King chats with Ernest Scheyder, a senior correspondent at Reuters and author of "The War Below: Lithium, copper, and the global battle to power our lives". Scheyder delves into the critical minerals like lithium and copper that underpin the green energy transition. The discussion unfolds the complexities surrounding mining projects, the environmental and indigenous rights considerations, and the geopolitical chess game of mineral supply chains. With personal stories and professional insights, Scheyder highlights the crucial choices facing society in the quest for a sustainable future.

This week on On the Rocks, host Emily King chats with Julia Souder, the CEO of LDES Council! Tune in for the full episode!

The mining industry faced significant challenges in 2023 – fluctuating commodity prices, permitting delays, geopolitical uncertainties. As 2024 begins, inflationary pressures and market volatility persist even as demand rises for minerals essential to the global energy transition. In a recent panel featuring experts from Prospector and VRIFY, financing trends impacting mining took center stage. While rising costs strain margins industry-wide, promising signals appear on metals integral for clean energy technologies. Government incentives and partnerships across battery/EV supply chains likewise bring new tailwinds.

In this episode, host Emily King explores responsible mining practices through a compelling discussion with Aimee Boulanger, the executive director of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA). They trace IRMA’s origins in early multi-stakeholder collaboration efforts beginning around 2006, discuss why credible independent assurance processes matter, and outline the organization’s innovative standards-based approach centered on feasible best practices, continuous improvement pathways tailored to local contexts, and reinventing mining’s value proposition by verifying performance gains. Along the way, they acknowledge lingering tensions around extraction tradeoffs while spotlighting win-win opportunities for communities, companies, customers and investors alike to lift industry standards over time through open dialog and shared value creation.

The mining industry is full of great people from around the globe with different jobs, ideas, and backgrounds. At Prospector, we pride ourselves on helping shine light on many different aspects and opportunities of the industry, and highlighting those that think outside the box.  National Miners Day is recognized each year on December 6th, in an effort to celebrate, recognize and applaud the skill, dedication and hard work miners put into providing many of the products essential to fulfilling America’s most vital needs.  You might not recognize how mining plays a role in your daily life. Most people do not see the raw materials produced by mining, from metals and minerals to coal and stone, sand, and gravel. Instead, we use items every day that come from mined raw materials, never knowing that mining played an integral part in the development of the mobile devices we use, the roads we travel on, the cookware we use to make our meals, and the mined fertilizers that helped grow our food. These products, in addition to countless other necessities and conveniences, start with mining.