Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast Podcast

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. 

In this episode, we chat with Gordon Stein, CFO of CleanTech Lithium, whose mission is to be a leading supplier of clean battery-grade lithium for the global energy transition by advancing direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, supplying green lithium to the EV and battery manufacturing market. Gordon has over 30 years of expertise in energy, natural resources, and other sectors in both executive and non-executive director roles. A chartered accountant who has worked with start-ups to major companies, including board roles of six LSE companies. He discusses the history of the company, the DLE process and technology behind CleanTech and financing options for technology companies and the Lithium market in general. KEY TAKEAWAYS Cleantech Lithium is advancing DLE technology, which allows for the extraction of lithium from brine sources in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner compared to traditional methods like evaporation ponds. This process can extract lithium in just two days, achieving a recovery rate of 99.7%. The demand for lithium is projected to increase by 20% to 30% annually, driven by the electric vehicle (EV) market and battery storage needs. This growing demand highlights the importance of developing cleaner and more efficient lithium extraction methods. Successful financing for DLE projects requires a strong operational strategy, including demonstrating a viable resource, conducting independent economic studies, and securing government support. Establishing partnerships with car manufacturers and battery producers is also crucial for securing funding. The capital markets have become more receptive to DLE technology as successful projects emerge, such as those in Argentina and Germany. Investors are increasingly recognising the economic viability of DLE projects, even in a low lithium price environment. BEST MOMENTS "They set up Cleantech with a view of finding assets in Chile where they felt it was a good mining jurisdiction."  "Direct lithium extraction... you can clearly see in every analyst it's going to be a dearth of supply over the course of time."  "We will use 100% renewable power... and we will re-inject the spent brine back into the aquifer area."  "Nobody is going to fund your project unless you've identified and delivered a resource." "The markets have been skeptical, but I think now they'll start to look." 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://ctlithium.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleantechlithium/ https://www.youtube.com/@ctlithium https://x.com/ctlithium 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 Marc Sale, CEO of First Class Metals, a junior miner focused on gold and critical exploration in Ontario, Canada. They are dedicated to unlocking the potential of untapped resources, providing innovative solutions to the supply shortage, and making a lasting impact in the mining industry. A geologist by background and a competent person for JORC and NI-43 101, Marc is an experienced explorer working in exploration and development across Africa,  Americas, Europe, and Australasia during his career. He gives us an overview of First Class Metals and what they have been up to, talks about a recent partnership with the 79th Group they have secured, and an overview of the current exploration market.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Marc has a diverse career in geology and corporate management, having worked in various regions including Australia, Africa, and South America. He transitioned from being an exploration geologist to holding several management roles, ultimately becoming the CEO of First Class Metals. First Class Metals is a junior mining company focused on gold and critical mineral exploration in Ontario, Canada. The company aims to unlock untapped resources and has a business model centred around developing properties to either joint venture or sell them. The company has two flagship projects, North Hemlo and Sunbeam, both of which are district-scale plays with significant potential. North Hemlo features the Dead Otter Trend, which has shown promising gold and molybdenum results, while Sunbeam has historical production and mineralization. A strategic partnership with the 79th Group is expected to provide First Class Metals with funding for exploration activities. This partnership will allow the company to pursue its exploration goals without the typical funding challenges faced by many small-cap explorers. First Class Metals emphasises responsible exploration and environmental stewardship. The company actively engages with local First Nations communities to maintain transparency and build trust, ensuring that their exploration activities are conducted ethically and responsibly. BEST MOMENTS "I would really like to find one more decent multimillion ounce gold deposit. I've been very fortunate in my career in that I've been associated with three multi-million ounce discoveries." "I think it's important to re-mention zigzag, the hard rock lithium target, which again has multimeter plus one percent lithium values and associated gallium, niobium and cesium on it." "I have to say one of the hardest billets I had was in Sardinia, where the landowners were equally as passionate, but they might only own two fields." "In these challenging markets, we can negotiate on properties at, shall we say, bargain basement prices." 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://firstclassmetalsplc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-class-metals-plc/  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 Brooke Bibeault, CEO of Makor Resources, an African junior miner exploring developing the next generation of world leading mines across the artisanal and small-scale sector. They enable Artisanal and Small-Scale businesses in the raw materials value chain - from "Mine to Main Street", Production to Retail - to manage risks, build resilient sourcing strategies, capture value, and invest for social impact to address some of today’s most pressing concerns. Brooke has a diverse background in leadership development and business strategy and became the CEO of Makor Resources in 2019 when she moved to Africa. She gives us the background to the company, its mission in helping artesian miners develop locally and ethically sourced materials, her new A1 platform Sensr 360, her new podcast Mine to Main Street, and more. KEY TAKEAWAYS Makor Resources aims to transform ASM into a legitimate and investable sector, recognising its significant contribution to global mineral production and the economic potential it holds for local communities. The introduction of Sensor360, an AI-driven platform, allows for real-time monitoring and verification of ESG compliance, helping to identify discrepancies and mitigate risks associated with mining operations. Makor Resources emphasises the importance of engaging local communities in the mining process, ensuring that they benefit from the resources extracted and that their needs and priorities are considered in decision-making. The approach to mining should prioritise long-term stability and community development over short-term profits, focusing on building sustainable ecosystems that outlast the life of the mine. There is a need to shift the perception of mining from being a "dirty" industry to one that plays a crucial role in global economic resilience, innovation, and sustainable development, highlighting the positive impacts and stories from the sector. BEST MOMENTS "My career really has always been about solving high stake problems at the intersection of power, and looking at economics and global impact."  "Artisanal and small-scale mining represents one of the largest untapped economic potentials in the global resource sector." "Mining depends on communities, and it's not about charity; it's about strategic alignment."  "I think the biggest failures of traditional mining is that too much value gets extracted and too little gets reinvested into the communities."  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.makorresources.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookebibeault/ https://www.instagram.com/brookebibeault/ https://x.com/brookebibeault 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 Mark Austin, who is the COO and Senior Geologist of Alba Minerals Resources, who are a minerals exploration company with a portfolio of projects in the UK and Greenland. Their focus is on unearthing hidden value from previously drilled or mined projects in gold, graphite and ilmenite. Mark discusses Alba Mineral’s journey and in particular the history behind their Clogau Gold Mine, a royal connection, the challenges of bringing an old UK mine into production and the emergence of the UK mining industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Clogau Gold Mine has a rich history dating back to 1854, originally starting as a lead mine before transitioning to gold mining. It produced a total of approximately 88,000 ounces of gold over its operational years, with significant production occurring between 1890 and 1910. Alba Minerals Resources recognised the potential for extracting remaining gold from the Clogau mine, which had been left largely undeveloped. Their initial focus was on safety and compliance, addressing the mine's deteriorating conditions before moving on to exploration and production. The company faced environmental challenges, particularly concerning the presence of lesser horseshoe bats in the mine. They implemented measures to protect the bats, including specialised gates and regular surveys, while also ensuring compliance with Natural Resources Wales. Clogau Gold is sought after not only for its quality but also due to its historical significance, including its use in royal wedding rings. This connection contributes to a premium price above the standard market rate for gold. BEST MOMENTS "Alba saw the opportunity of looking at what has been left behind from Clogau... there's always ore left behind, whether it's in pillars or the old timers have missed the extension of a pay chute." "The ore body that has been mined is a quartz vein... the gold mineralization is very nuggety. It's little pods of gold... finding these pods of gold has been the history of Clogau Gold Mine." "Clogau gold can fetch a significant premium... the Queen Mother married the Duke of York with rings made from Clogau gold. That tradition continues today with Prince William and Kate." "Safety was a big factor... a mine 150 years old has degraded over time... making it legally compliant was quite a challenge." 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://albamineralresources.com/ info@albamineralresources.com 0203 950 0725 https://www.linkedin.com/company/alba-mineral-resources-plc/ https://x.com/AlbaMinerals 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.