In this episode, we chat with John Passalacqua, CEO and Director of First Phosphate, who are a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the Lithium Iron Phosphate (“LFP”) battery industry. First Phosphate is committed to producing at high purity level, in a responsible manner, and with low anticipated carbon footprint. John is an international business strategist with over 35 years of extensive technology and capital markets experience and was recognised as one of the top international business strategists during the early internet era. He has placed strong emphasis on strategic partnerships and cost-efficient development as core elements of the company’s growth strategy. He advocates for maintaining low capital and operational expenditures while constructing commercially viable facilities to support long-term expansion. In addition to his corporate leadership, John actively engages in discussions on global trade policy and its impact on the LFP battery sector advantages in this rapidly evolving industry and John’s on the podcast to give us the history and vision of First Phosphate, their mining practices and community engagement initiatives, technology they are using, the phosphate market and more. KEY TAKEAWAYS First Phosphate is strategically located in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, which is one of the few places in North America with high purity igneous phosphate essential for producing purified phosphoric acid used in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. The company focuses on high purity phosphate, which is crucial for the production of LFP batteries. Unlike the majority of the world's phosphate used in agriculture, which is of lower purity, First Phosphate's product can directly produce the purified phosphoric acid needed for battery manufacturing. Phosphate-based LFP batteries offer significant environmental benefits compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The process generates recyclable gypsum, and the batteries themselves are less toxic and easier to recycle, contributing to decarbonisation efforts. First Phosphate aims to create a robust North American phosphate supply chain by integrating mining operations with downstream processing, ensuring that the entire production process from phosphate extraction to battery material is localised and efficient. BEST MOMENTS "We're located in a very, very rare portion of Quebec, the only real place in North America with hard rock phosphate."  "To make purified phosphoric acid for batteries, you need high purity phosphate, which is not available from the 95% of the world's phosphate used in agriculture."  "The hard rock phosphate is actually very, very clean. It's amongst the purest in the world."  "You have to perfect your process in one country and then you might need to establish operations in many different countries to get around trade barriers."  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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS Website: FirstPhosphate.com​ Investor Relations: investor@firstphosphate.com​ X: https://x.com/FirstPhosphate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-phosphate Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@firstphosphate ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In this episode, we chat to Luke Rogers, who is an experienced mining and mineral processing executive whose work has taken him all over the world providing technical capability and support to mining companies in developing countries across a range of commodities. An avid listener to the podcast, we have a general chat about education and learning and how we can start to educate our children and those outside of mining about our industry and improve the branding and understanding of this great industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Engaging with children and communities about the mining industry is crucial for shaping future perceptions and understanding of its role in society, especially in light of global challenges like climate change and the energy transition. It is never too late to pursue a career in mining or related fields. Many professionals have successfully transitioned into the industry as mature students, highlighting the value of diverse experiences and backgrounds. Mining professionals can positively impact local communities by actively participating in educational initiatives, supporting local schools, and fostering knowledge transfer to encourage interest in STEM subjects. There are many misconceptions about mining, often rooted in historical events. Educating the public about the industry's contributions to everyday life and its importance in sustainable development is essential for improving its reputation. BEST MOMENTS "It's never too late to join the industry... there are other mature students... who completely decided to change their career."  "It's really important to educate the public... because they're not all going to grow up to be miners."  "I think the more of us get out there and talk to people, the more people want to absorb."  "You've got to get out there and do stuff. Things don't happen. You've got to be proactive."  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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS Luke.rogers@imr.ltd https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukerogers1/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In this episode, we chat with Patrick Elliot, President and CEO of Forte Minerals Corp, a listed Canadian exploration company committed to maximizing shareholder value through acquiring, exploring, discovering, and developing copper and gold projects in Chile and Peru. With a geology and mineral economics background, Patrick has over 17 years' experience in mineral exploration and resource sector finance and marketing working extensively throughout North and South America. He specializes in economic resource project evaluation, financial modelling, CAPEX estimation, and mining finance and discusses the history of Forte Minerals, Chile, and Peru as mining jurisdictions, leadership styles and insights, the copper market, and much more. KEY TAKEAWAYS Forte Minerals Corp is a Canadian exploration company focused on copper and gold projects in Chile and Peru. The company aims to maximise shareholder value through acquiring, exploring, and developing these mineral resources. With over 17 years of experience in mineral exploration, the team at Forte Minerals has a unique strategy of leveraging a pipeline of pre-vetted copper and gold projects. This approach allows them to advance projects to drill-ready status, primarily targeting large mid-tier and major mining companies. Forte Minerals emphasises the importance of community relations in mining. They have developed an in-house social team to ensure consistent engagement with local communities, which is crucial for building trust and facilitating project advancement. The current copper market is experiencing supply crunch concerns, and junior miners like Forte are well-positioned to fill this gap. The company has been accumulating properties during downturns, allowing them to attract partners and advance projects when market conditions improve. BEST MOMENTS "I think the biggest misconception is that there might be some instability and the communities can be an issue in some of the regions... The largest copper producers in the world have been there for several decades." "We're not looking to find deposits that we could put into production ourselves... All these targets are for large company targets and we're essentially fuelling their pipeline." "We brought the social aspect in-house... It's vitally important. Short-term success can be measured with that type of strategy that we've deployed." "We're finally drilling our high sulfidation Puccarini project... This will be the first time as a public company that we've gone in and drill tested our own targets." 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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forte-minerals-corp Meta (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/ForteMinerals X (Twitter): https://x.com/Forte_Copper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forteminerals/ Website: https://forteminerals.com/ Contact Emails: Corporate inquiries: adalair@forteminerals.com Investor inquiries: kguichon@forteminerals.com ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In this episode, we chat with Scott Vincent, President of the Critical Ocean Minerals Research Center, who are an organisation representing a group of stakeholders who have been studying seabed mineral extraction, and take a closer look at some of the important issues surrounding this method of mining. The organisation aims to provide balanced information on the environmental and economic aspects of deep-sea mining, addressing both its potential benefits and concerns. Scott’s background combines extensive experience in finance and investment with a focused interest in marine resource management, positioning him to contribute significantly to discussions on sustainable ocean mineral extraction. On this podcast, Scott talks about the benefits, negatives, and impacts of harvesting polymetallic nodules, some of the misperceptions about nodule harvesting, what it means for this industry with a new administration in power, and a lot more. KEY TAKEAWAYS Deep sea mining primarily targets resources located below 1,000 meters, focusing on three main types of formations: polymetallic nodules, seafloor massive sulfides, and cobalt crusts. Polymetallic nodules are considered the most attractive due to their ease of extraction and lower environmental impact. Harvesting polymetallic nodules can have negligible to positive impacts on human health and welfare. It offers a potential solution to reduce reliance on terrestrial mining, which often has severe negative effects on human health and the environment. Additionally, deep sea mining can lead to lower CO2 emissions and less toxic waste compared to traditional mining methods. There is significant opposition to deep sea mining, largely driven by environmental groups advocating for a moratorium. Common misconceptions include exaggerated claims about the destruction of ocean ecosystems and the potential release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which are not supported by scientific evidence. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) governs deep sea mining in international waters, but the presence of countries that rely on terrestrial mining for their economies complicates the regulatory process. Some nations, like the Cook Islands, are moving forward with regulations for deep sea mining. BEST MOMENTS "We found that there was just a lot of misinformation, omitted information, and there was kind of a void in the marketplace where there wasn't a response from industry to counter some of the narratives out there." "The first benefit I always talk about is the fact that it looks like the impact on human health, human welfare, from harvesting nodules is negligible to positive." "The interesting thing in my book is that WWF looks the other way when we have these atrocities in the DRC and Indonesia." "If we fulfilled all those requirements with nodule harvesting tomorrow onward for the next 20 years, we would only touch 0.06% of the abyssal plains." 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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS https://comrc.org/ https://x.com/COMRC_ORG https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556584570043 ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In the episode, we chat with Adrian Dance, Principal Consultant at SRK Consulting, an independent and international multi-disciplined mining consultancy focused on providing advice and solutions to clients, mainly in the earth and water resource industries. They offer services from exploration to mine closure and are specialists and leaders in fields such as due diligence, technical studies, mine waste and water management, permitting, and mine rehabilitation. Adrian’s expertise is in metallurgy and mineral processing and he's worked for the likes of Mount Isa Mines, Highland Valley, and Bisha Mining before joining SRK back in 2010 and is going to be talking about technology in mineral processing, using XRT over traditional sorting methods, AI, SRK’s partnership with Base Metallurgical Labs and why grade engineering plays a critical role in resource extraction. KEY TAKEAWAYS The mining industry is slow to adopt new technologies, which can significantly improve efficiency and processing. Embracing advancements like X-ray transmissive sensing (XRT) and AI can lead to better decision-making and operational flexibility. Implementing pre-concentration techniques to reject waste material early in the processing stage can enhance the economics of mining operations. This approach allows for the removal of waste before it enters the processing plant, reducing costs and environmental impact. The concept of grade engineering emphasises the need to actively manage and improve the quality of ore being processed. By utilising various techniques, such as differential blasting and sorting, mining operations can optimise the value extracted from their resources. Future mining operations will require more flexible processing systems that can adapt to the variability of incoming material. This includes the ability to make real-time adjustments based on the characteristics of the ore being processed. There is a need for the mining industry to break down silos between different disciplines. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, companies can improve overall efficiency and innovation in mining practices. BEST MOMENTS "What we really need to be considering now more than ever is improving the quality of the material coming in to really improve the economics."  "We are losing expertise; we are not really getting a lot of traction of people coming to the industry." "If you take somebody outside of the mining industry and say, we're going to process 99.999% waste to get to that .001% valuable, someone would say, check your head."  "The biggest thing we want to do is to avoid people from shooting themselves in the foot with this technology." 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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS Adrian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-dance/ SRK's website: https://www.srk.com/  SRK's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/srk-consulting/ Adrian's SRK profile: https://www.srk.com/en/consultants/adrian-dance ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In this episode, we chat with Tony Reda, Founder, President, and CEO of Tectonic Metals, a mineral exploration company, focused on the acquisition, exploration, discovery and development of mineral resources from district-scale projects in politically stable jurisdictions that have the potential to host world-class orebodies in North America. Tony has been in mining for 20+ years in investor relations and corporate development roles before taking the helm at Tectonic back in 2018 and shares his journey, give us an update on the company, their key partnerships and the broad milestones and strategy the company is looking to execute. KEY TAKEAWAYS Tony's career in mining began at the age of 21 when he invested in mining stocks, leading to a significant loss during the Bre-X scandal. He returned to the industry in 2005, focusing on corporate development and investor relations, which laid the groundwork for his role as CEO of Tectonic Metals. Tectonic Metals emphasises early-stage discovery opportunities and aims to partner with local communities and Indigenous groups from the outset. This approach includes forming impact benefit agreements to ensure community support and involvement in the exploration process. The Flat Gold Project, located in Alaska, has shown promising results, including a new gold discovery with significant grades. The project is situated in a mineral belt that hosts one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world, indicating strong potential for further exploration and development. Tectonic Metals has established key partnerships with organisations like Doyon, the Alaska Native Regional Corporation, and Crescat Capital. These partnerships not only provide financial backing but also streamline the permitting process and enhance community relations, which are crucial for project success. BEST MOMENTS "We are partnered up with one of Alaska's largest leading native regional corporations... they’ve invested over $4 million supporting our efforts to explore on their land." "If you can hit gold in a kilometre-long target on your first attempt and hit grades as high as that, that tells you the system is huge." "We want something that's at least 5 million ounces or larger... this is not a one deposit system. Now there's potential for six of them." "The Trump administration is vocal about sort of, you know, homegrown resources and reducing their reliance on other countries for their natural resources." 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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS https://www.tectonicmetals.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tectonic-metals/ https://www.youtube.com/@TectonicMetalsInc https://x.com/TectonicMetals ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In this episode, we chat with James Fryer, an experienced mining underwriter for Inigo, who are global specialists in high-risk, high-capacity insurance and reinsurance lines – serving some of the world’s largest commercial and industrial enterprises including the mining and resources sector. James explains more about the insurance industry, what mining companies could do better from a risk prospective, how insurance companies can improve their negative reputations, what are the current risk challenges in our industry, and what makes a good mining client from an insurance perspective. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's crucial for mining companies to fully understand the details of their insurance policies, including what is covered and what is not. Misunderstandings often lead to conflicts during claims. Insurance for mining companies should be bespoke, as each mining operation has unique risks and challenges. Insurers work closely with mining companies to develop tailored insurance products that meet their specific needs. Insurance companies need to adopt a more proactive approach to risk management by learning from past losses and providing clarity in policy wording. This helps ensure that mining companies have certainty in their coverage when losses occur. The mining industry faces new risks due to technological advancements, such as automation and electrification. Insurers must adapt their policies to address these emerging risks while also leveraging technology for better risk assessment and monitoring. A successful partnership between mining companies and insurers is built on trust and transparency. Long-term relationships allow both parties to better understand each other's risks and needs, ultimately leading to more effective risk management and support during claims. BEST MOMENTS "Insurance is just another method of risk management. It's that transfer of risk from the company to a third party, in this case being the insurance company." "Not every mine is the same. Our job is to work with insurance brokers and the mining companies to develop something that is suitable for them." "Insurance is very reactive. There are those losses that will occur that a 60-page insurance wording contract just isn't able to respond to." "The best insurance policy is one that you will never have to claim on because it means that you haven't had that financial loss." 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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS https://uk.linkedin.com/in/james-fryer-71177913 www.MIRAassoc.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/mining-insurance-group/ https://inigoinsurance.com/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In this episode, we chat with Alex Langer, CEO of Sierra Madre, a Canadian listed junior miner with 2 metals projects in Mexico, with their flagship project, La Guitarra Mine in Mexico’s Silver Belt recently going into production. Alex is a successful public markets specialist with 20 years of experience, starting his career as an Investment Advisor with Canaccord Genuity, where he helped fund over 100 private and publicly listed companies including the IPOs for Endeavour Silver, Fortuna Silver, and Great Panther. He’s on the podcast to discuss the history of the company, now in production what’s next for the business, an update on the current silver market, and an update on the Mexican mining industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sierra Madre has successfully transitioned into full commercial production at its flagship LaGuitarra mine in Mexico, which was previously on care and maintenance. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the company, allowing it to generate cash flows. The LaGuitarra mine covers approximately 28,000 hectares and has a rich history of silver and gold production. The company plans to allocate around $3 million for exploration to drill key areas, particularly the East District, which includes historically significant mines with high-grade material. Current high prices for gold and silver are beneficial for Sierra Madre, providing significant revenue opportunities. The company has structured its operations to maintain low costs, which allows it to be resilient in fluctuating market conditions. Recent changes in the Mexican government have led to a more favorable regulatory environment for mining, with new permits being issued and a renewed focus on the importance of the mining sector for the economy. This shift is expected to bolster confidence in mining projects within the country. BEST MOMENTS "We really wanted something that was fully permitted. And so we were quite fortunate that La Guitarra was fully permitted. First Majestic did an amazing job in terms of their community relations and environmental permitting." "We have now actually identified over 60 kilometres of vein material at surface. This area used to be one of the most prolific and historic producers of silver gold from the 16th, 17th, 1800s." "Every dollar a silver price goes up is really significant to our bottom line. It's straight revenue, which is wonderful." "We feel quite confident we can increase production relatively quickly and hopefully out of cash flows." 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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS https://sierramadregoldandsilver.com/contact https://x.com/sierramadresm investor@sierramadregoldandsilver.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERWQNg-1wABjaexIj_U6yA https://www.linkedin.com/company/sierramadre/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In this episode, we chat with Beth Borody, a seasoned leader in the mining industry and a trailblazer in driving diversity, equity, and inclusion. As the Founder and CEO of Femina Collective, Beth champions a community where women in natural resources can find connection, mentorship, and a supportive environment that fosters progress. Her vision is to transform the industry by creating safe spaces where women can collaborate, grow, and push for meaningful change. We are going to discuss Femina Collective and what they do and the challenges females in our industry are faced with which may not always be obvious to all. KEY TAKEAWAYS The mining industry is traditionally male-dominated, with women making up only 14% of the workforce globally. There is a pressing need for intentional efforts to increase female representation in all areas of the industry. The Femina Collective aims to radically change the experience of women in the mining industry by providing a supportive community that fosters connection, mentorship, and opportunities for professional growth. Women are encouraged to engage in mining investments, as they tend to be more risk-aware and make long-term investment decisions. The Femina Collective is launching an investment arm to educate women about investing in mining and to create a private investment club. Increasing the number of women in leadership roles within the mining sector is not just a diversity initiative; it is a smart business strategy. Diverse leadership teams lead to better decision-making and improved company performance. The organisation aims to expand its reach globally, enhance its membership offerings, and eventually establish an owner-operator model in mining, demonstrating the positive impact of female leadership and investment in the industry. BEST MOMENTS "Our goal since day one, our mission is always to radically change the experience of women in the mining industry." "We know that when women are looking at health and safety, that sites tend to be safer, that trucks aren't destroyed as quickly and women drive safer." "We believe that if we can impact one woman and we can grow her confidence, we can work with recruiters to get her her next role, that's going to have a rippling effect." "It's not actually a diversity thing that we're trying to achieve here. It's just actually smart business." 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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS https://www.thefeminacollective.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-femina-collective/ https://www.instagram.com/feminacollectivegroup/ https://www.thefeminacollective.com/blog ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

In this episode, we chat with Cailey Barker, an experienced analyst and portfolio manager who started his career as a geologist getting experience in the field before moving into a senior position with the likes of Numis Securities and then more recently at Blackrock as their Director and Portfolio Manager. An active listener to the podcast, Cailey wanted to come on and talk about his insights into the gold market, the current state and outlook of mining, investment thesis in the industry and how Trumps tariff wars look to affect our industry and much more. KEY TAKEAWAYS The mining sector faces significant challenges, including cyclicality, poor past discipline among companies, increasing regulations, and public perception issues. Despite these challenges, companies are now in better shape with robust balance sheets and clear strategies focused on shareholder returns. While gold prices have reached all-time highs, interest in gold equities has waned. Factors such as high interest rates, geopolitical uncertainties, and a shift in investor focus towards sectors like technology and critical minerals have contributed to this trend. Junior mining companies struggle to secure financing due to a risk-averse capital market that favours large-cap established producers. This has led to a reliance on alternative funding sources, such as private equity and larger mining companies, for exploration projects. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors remain crucial in the mining industry, although they may not be as prominently discussed as before. Companies are now expected to have clear, actionable plans for sustainability rather than just making broad claims. BEST MOMENTS "To have that sort of focus, attention to detail, and whatever situation you're in... you can always sort of relate back to the fact that it's not as bad as being in a ring with an 18 stone monster trying to take your head off." "The opportunity set is incredibly compelling... I don't see it sort of returning to those lows that we've seen."  "There's been a dearth of mining investment over the last decade... the risk-averse capital markets have just sort of moved to favour large cap established producers mainly."  "If you can find something similar where you basically don't need to build a processing plant, all these sort of ESG considerations become a lot lower and the economics change dramatically."  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 This episode is sponsored by Hawcroft, leaders in property risk management since 1992. They offer: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset criticality assessments and more Working across over 600 sites globally, Hawcroft supports mining, processing, smelting, power, refining, ports, and rail operations. For bespoke property risk management services, visit www.hawcroft.com GUEST SOCIALS Website: https://caileybarker.com/ Email: contact@caileybarker.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caileybarker1/ ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. CONTACT METHOD rob@mining-international.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ Podcast Description Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.