Dig Deep

In this episode we chat to Dan Myerson, Executive Chairman and CEO of Foran Mining, a company at the forefront of the copper revolution and one of the only single-asset copper developers actively building a mine anywhere in the world.In this episode, we dig into why Foran remains undervalued despite its remarkable progress at the McIlvenna Bay project — now nearing 50% completion and on track for commercial production by mid-2026. Dan shares insights on market sentiment toward pre-production copper companies, the strategic importance of Foran’s Saskatchewan jurisdiction, and why now might be a pivotal moment for investors to take a closer look. We also explore what lies beyond McIlvenna Bay, and how Foran is positioning itself in a copper market grappling with supply constraints and long-term demand growth. Stay tuned as we unpack the milestones, the macro trends, and the big vision driving one of Canada's most exciting copper stories. KEY TAKEAWAYS Despite its achievements, Foran Mining is perceived as undervalued in the market. The disconnect between perceived and actual risk is a factor, suggesting that the company's fundamentals do not align with its current valuation. Saskatchewan is recognised as one of the best mining jurisdictions globally, with a supportive government and low after-tax cash costs Beyond McIlvenny Bay, Foran Mining has significant exploration potential with discoveries like the Tesla and Bridge zones. These areas could lead to increased production capacity  With the company positioned at a critical juncture before production, there is a strong argument for investment. BEST MOMENTS "We are the only single asset company building an actual greenfield copper mine in the world today, which when you actually say that out loud is quite amazing." "The actual risk versus the perceived risk is very different... the perceived risk that's still involved is much higher than the actual risk." "The valuation where it's at is the cheapest it's ever been in its history... now is the best time that you could ever have to buy the stock." "Saskatchewan is one of the best jurisdictions in the world... very pragmatic and practical government. I'd say that's the best thing." 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 GUEST SOCIALS  https://foranmining.com/ https://www.facebook.com/people/Foran-Mining-Corporation/100086125762836/ https://x.com/foranmining https://www.linkedin.com/company/foran-mining/posts/?feedView=all @foranmining 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/

In this episode, we chat with Jeremy Gray, a seasoned CEO and visionary leader at the helm of multiple high-impact ventures, including Pilar Gold, Pure Tungsten, Tucano Gold, and Gold Road. With decades of experience navigating the complex world of mining finance, exploration, and operational leadership, Jeremy has earned a reputation for revitalizing assets, unlocking value, and delivering sustainable growth in some of the world's most resource-rich and challenging regions. From South America to Asia and beyond, he’s not just leading companies; he's reshaping the narrative around modern mining, strategic metals, and responsible resource development. Jeremy talks about how he built a multi-company gold portfolio and made a strategic leap into tungsten, why he chose to keep all the companies separate rather than under one umbrella, the geopolitical and regulatory risks involved in operating across countries like Brazil and beyond, and how investor sentiment is evolving around gold and strategic minerals in today’s volatile economy. KEY TAKEAWAYS The decision to keep multiple mining ventures separate rather than consolidating them under one umbrella was driven by the need for independent financing Brazil is viewed as a favourable mining jurisdiction due to its supportive environment for second chances, while regions like Australia and Africa are considered too competitive or risky Investor attitudes towards gold and tungsten are heavily influenced by market prices. A rising gold price can lead to increased investor interest There is a strong belief that exploration is often a waste of resources, with a preference for acquiring assets that are already producing or have a clear path to production BEST MOMENTS "We basically specialise in buying big secondhand gold mines and now tungsten mine... it hasn't been easy, but lots of challenges."  "If you have run into problems when you're public, they will just wipe you out."  "We only buy existing capacity, we don't build... it's a different game altogether."  "Everything is driven by the price... when the gold price sells off 100 bucks in an afternoon, I know my phone won't ring." 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 GUEST SOCIALS  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-gray-783b9085/ https://www.pilargold.com/ https://www.puretungsten.ca/ https://www.tucanogold.com/ https://goldroad.com.au/ 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/

In this episode, we chat with Greg Lang, President and CEO of NOVAGOLD, who are a well-financed precious metals company focused on the development of its 60% owned, federally permitted Donlin Gold project in Alaska. Greg brings a wealth of experience, having held senior leadership roles at some of the world’s largest mining companies, including Barrick Gold. Today, we explore his journey to the helm of NOVAGOLD and delve into what makes the company’s vision distinct in today’s mining landscape. We’ll discuss pivotal moments like Barrick’s exit from Donlin, the strategic role of Paulson Advisers LLC, and how NOVAGOLD is navigating the project's future—from ESG commitments and permitting milestones to community partnerships and long-term economic development in Alaska. KEY TAKEAWAYS NOVAGOLD is primarily focused on the development of the Donlin Gold project in Alaska, which is recognised as one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped gold deposits globally The company has established strong partnerships with local Native corporations, such as Callister Corporation and the Casco Wind Corporation NOVAGOLD has made significant strides in the permitting process, having completed federal permitting and received a record of decision from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Land Management NOVAGOLD emphasises sustainability and community engagement as foundational elements of its operations, actively involving local communities BEST MOMENTS "I was always fascinated by the scale of the asset. You know, I've been around a lot of gold mines that ultimately got to 40 million ounces, but none of them ever started that big." "Barrick's decision to divest Donlin marked a major turning point... they had other competing priorities, and now with Paulson and NOVAGOLD, we are totally aligned on taking this project forward." "Donlin is located in a very impoverished part of the state of Alaska... there's no economic engine on the horizon that will create the kind of employment that Donlin will." "Sustainability is increasing, pivotal in the mining sector" 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 GUEST SOCIALS  https://novagold.com/ https://x.com/novagold https://www.facebook.com/NovaGold https://www.linkedin.com/company/novagold/ 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/

In the episode, we chat with Dr Pradeep Kumar Jain, who was the Chief Mineral Economist for the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, and has recently retired. With over 42 years of experience in mineral economics, geology, and mining legislation, he has been deeply involved in shaping India's mineral policy, pricing mechanisms, and strategic resource planning. He talks about critical factors for successful mine planning, adoption of new technology, India as a mining jurisdiction, and how they are developing their mining industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Since 2015, India's mineral concession grants have shifted from a first-come, first-served basis to an auction model, enhancing transparency, increasing state revenue, and expediting the process of granting mining rights. India is rich in a variety of minerals, including major, minor, critical, and strategic minerals. Key states like Goa, Jharkhand, and Odisha are known for specific minerals, contributing to a robust mining landscape. The integration of advanced technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, and drone surveys is transforming mining operations in India, improving decision-making, efficiency, and regulatory transparency. The establishment of the District Mineral Foundation aims to ensure that mining activities contribute positively to local communities and the environment, promoting sustainable and inclusive development. BEST MOMENTS "After 2015, the grant of the concession in an auction mode... it is becoming a transparent procedure for grant of the mineral concession."  "We have about 25 minerals available... all type of the mineral right from the bulk mineral to precious mineral."  "This auction model has made drastic changes... it is making a healthy competition but little bit there is some drawback also."  "India is a very good platform for international trade, as well as inviting the international experts to come and venture into the mining sector in India." 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 GUEST SOCIALS  pkjain3661@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-p-k-jain/ 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/

In this episode, we chat to Noora Ahola, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Mawson Finland, a gold development company working in the mining friendly jurisdiction of Finland, who are developing and advancing the Rajapalot Project in the northern region of the country. Noora has a background in studying forestry, landscape management, and mining and has developed strong experience within the Finnish environmental administration, applying environmental and other land-use legislation for nature protection. She has also been part of the Lapland Chamber of Commerce and Finnish Mining Association boards. In today’s episode, we explore Noora’s leadership journey, her insights on operating in Finland’s highly regulated ESG environment, community engagement strategies, and what’s next for Rajapalot - including drilling updates, feasibility work, and full-scale permitting. KEY TAKEAWAYS Mawson Finland emphasises the importance of community involvement and transparency in its operations. The company actively engages with local stakeholders, ensuring that their concerns and suggestions are heard and addressed. Mawson Finland is advancing its Rajapalot project, with successful drilling seasons leading to new discoveries and resource growth. The company is currently analysing results to determine the next steps Northern Finland is recognised as a safe and mining-friendly jurisdiction, with established infrastructure, a skilled workforce BEST MOMENTS "I think our shareholders share the same vision with me, that we're going to build up a responsible mine, which actually benefits the locals in the area greatly in the future." "It's not a single experience or anything. It's just the whole big picture." "We have done very well... there is always someone who is against or opposed, but it's clearly the minority." 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 GUEST SOCIALS  MFL website: https://mawsonfinland.com/ MFL Socials: X - https://x.com/MawsonFinland Linkedin - https://ca.linkedin.com/company/mawson-finland-limited Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mawson-Finland-Ltd/61560946421734/ 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/

Grant Sboros, CEO of Euro Sun Mining, shares his expertise from a rich background in finance and mining with Deloitte and Glencore. He discusses the impressive Rovina Valley project's potential, boasting 10.4 million ounces of gold equivalent. Grant reveals a pivotal $200 million financing deal with Trafigura, essential for construction while protecting shareholder interests. He notes a favorable shift in Romanian government attitudes towards mining, which may expedite the permitting process, fostering optimism for the project's future.

In this episode, we chat with Alex Passmore, CEO of New Murchison Gold, who are an ASX listed mineral exploration and development company that holds a substantial package of tenements in the prolific Murchison goldfield near Meekatharra in Western Australia. Alex is a geologist by background but spent much of his career on the finance side of the industry. He is an experienced corporate executive and has a number of company directorships under him, and in this episode, he gives us an overview of Murchison Gold, an update on the operation, and views on finance in the industry and in the junior space and more. KEY TAKEAWAYS New Murchison Gold is a gold mining company located in the Murchison district of Western Australia, focusing on gold exploration and development. The company has a significant package of tenements and has recently shifted its focus solely to gold assets. The company has successfully commenced mining operations at the Crown Prince site, achieving its first blast on June 30 and completing four blasts by mid-July.  New Murchison Gold has established a beneficial relationship with West Gold Resources, which allows them to sell their ore to West Gold's Bluebird mill.  There is significant upside potential in the Crown Prince ore body, with expectations of underground extensions that could enhance production.  BEST MOMENTS "We’ve managed to unlock significant value by discovering the Crown Prince ore body, which underpinned a big uplift in resources and the publication of an ore reserve earlier this year." "We are selling our ore and get paid 83% of the value of the gold that's in that ore to West Gold Resources, which has a plant 36 kilometres away." "We are confident in the ore body and the grades as we've put out publicly in the production profile." "Crown Prince will be producing around 60,000 ounces annually, and if we can bring on the other two, we start to head towards that magic 100,000-ounce production per annum rate." 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 GUEST SOCIALS  https://www.newmurchgold.com.au/https://www.newmurchgold.com.au/news-media/videos-podcasts/https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-passmore-23025549/https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-murchison-gold/X:   @NMG_GoldASX 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/

In this episode, we chat to a returning guest, who appeared in October 2024 (episode 471). John Lee, CEO and Executive Chairman of Silver Elephant, but also the CEO of CleanTech Vanadium Mining Corp who are a listed critical mineral exploration company who acquired Campbell-Crotser Fluorspar project in Kentucky. John has an Economics and Engineering degree, a CFA charterholder, and accredited investor who specializes in mining M&A, raising over $150 million through the TSX and TSX Venture Exchange for junior companies since 2009. He talks about the history of CleanTech, more about Fluorspar, including supply and demand, more about Kentucky as a mining jurisdiction, and his take on the precious metals at the moment. KEY TAKEAWAYS Fluorspar is an essential mineral used in various industries, including nuclear power production, solar energy, EV batteries, and pharmaceuticals.  The global production of fluorspar is heavily reliant on China, which produces 66 million tons annually, while the U.S. has no domestic production.  The recent acquisition of the Campbell Prosser project in Kentucky positions Cleantech Vanadium Mining Corp to capitalise on the growing demand for fluorspar.  Fluorspar prices have seen significant increases, with projections suggesting they could double or even quadruple by 2030 due to rising demand in critical applications and government initiatives aimed at self-sufficiency in mineral production. BEST MOMENTS "China produces today 66 million tons of fluorospar per year, and global production is 10 million tons. This creates a critical supply issue." "The project is in an excellent location with over 30 neighboring fluorospar projects... and has excellent infrastructure." "I think it's going to be within this current administration, you're going to see potentially doubling of the fluorospar price." 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 GUEST SOCIALS  https://ca.linkedin.com/company/cleantechctv https://cleantechctv.com/  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/

In this episode, we have a returning guest who last appeared on the show back in July 2023 (Ep 360). Scott Williamson, MD of Blackstone Minerals, a listed mining company who are developing a high-grade undeveloped copper-gold porphyry projects in the world and is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the untapped potential of the Mankayan Copper-Gold Project in the Philippines. Scott is a mining engineer by background, working in operations and corporate roles during his career and has exposure to corporate finance and capital markets, investor relations, and project management during his career. He has been at the helm of Blackstone for nearly 8 years now and gives us an update since he was last on, discusses the Mankayan project, talks about gold and copper porphyry, and what the Philippines is like as a mining jurisdiction, and more. KEY TAKEAWAYS The current copper market is experiencing tight supply due to increasing demand driven by electrification and the transition to electric vehicles. This has resulted in high copper prices Blackstone Minerals plans to conduct extensive exploration, aiming to drill around 50,000 meters over the next 12 to 18 months. This includes systematic exploration techniques to identify new ore bodies Strong community relations have been established, with previous owners successfully engaging local stakeholders. Blackstone has inherited a solid foundation, including a 25-year mining license and agreements with indigenous communities The project offers multiple development pathways, including the potential for a smaller-scale operation focusing on high-grade ore, which could generate cash flow to support larger-scale mining in the future BEST MOMENTS "Copper is probably the tightest copper concentrate market the world has ever seen... Unfortunately, the supply is quite limited, and it takes a long time to bring copper mines online." "This particular ore body has already got 10 million ounces of gold and another 10 million ounces of gold equivalent in copper... It's already a world-class scale." "We want to drill around 50,000 meters... We want to do a lot of drilling, but we also want to do that systematic exploration." "The good thing is that we're not just inheriting a world-class ore body, we're inheriting all of that great work that the previous owners have done." 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 GUEST SOCIALS  https://blackstoneminerals.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/blackstone-minerals/ https://x.com/Blackstone_BSX 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/

In this episode, we chat with Tim Biggs, an experienced company adviser and part-time academic, focused on the mining industry. He is a director of Grainge Advisory Limited, which provides advisory and consultancy services to companies, investors, and other organisations, predominantly in the mining sector. We met recently at the UK mining conference in Cornwall, and Tim, who is a regular listener to the podcast, asked if he could come on to the show to discuss his recently released book…"Mining - Why It’s Essential for a Sustainable Future". The book is available at bookstores, online through Waterstones, Amazon etc, using the search “Timothy Biggs” or “Mining”, and direct from the publisher using this link: https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=9781509567492 KEY TAKEAWAYS Mining is essential for modern life, as nearly everything we use contains metals and minerals derived from mining.  There is a significant lack of understanding about mining among the general public, particularly among younger generations and students.  The mining industry has historically been poor at promoting its importance. The focus should shift from showcasing machinery to highlighting the essential role mining plays in everyday life and sustainability efforts. To ensure the future of the mining industry, it is crucial to attract young talent. This can be achieved by improving the industry's image, providing scholarships, and engaging educators to promote mining BEST MOMENTS "Everything uses the products of mining, metals and minerals. The only things that don't have metals and minerals in them are things that are grown, like our food." "If you don't appreciate how important mining is, then you clearly need to understand what we use all of the products of mining for." "The industry has not really felt that it's necessary to do much about its image... No image turns into poor image when something goes wrong." "As we move towards a more sustainable world, you're going to need more mining, not less." 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/