Dig Deep

In this episode, we chat with Juan Carlos, President and CEO of Canstar Resources, a TSX-Venture listed junior miner focused on mineral exploration in Newfoundland, Canada. Juan has 15 years of experience in executive management, capital markets, finance, and commercial and strategic development. He has recently stepped into the CEO role at Canstar and in this podcast, he shares his journey, the progress Canstar has made and discusses the political and economic landscape within mining and North America as the new US president takes position. KEY TAKEAWAYS Canstar Resources is focused on mineral exploration in Newfoundland, Canada, with a vision to create a diversified mining company that can capitalise on undervalued assets and leverage advances in data science and technology for efficient exploration. The company has three main project areas: the Buchans-Mary March project, which is rich in VMS deposits; the Mary March project, known for high-grade zinc; and the Golden Baie project, which has significant gold and antimony potential. Each project presents unique opportunities for exploration and discovery. The current geopolitical landscape, including national security concerns and the shift towards de-dollarisation, is expected to drive demand for critical minerals. The guest anticipates a new commodity super cycle, with increased investment in the mining sector as countries seek to secure their mineral supply chains. Canstar plans to build on its foundational work in 2024 by advancing exploration efforts in 2025. This includes conducting geophysical surveys, leveraging new technology for exploration, and potentially making acquisitions to enhance its asset base and capitalise on market opportunities. BEST MOMENTS "I think we are on the cusp of the next major commodity super cycle... we're going to see increases in commodity prices that are going to be sustained until we get supply that's in balance with the demand." "I think there's something in mining for everyone... whether your focus is on electrification and on the environment and climate change, whether your focus is on national security and the defense industrial base." "The way that we think about exploration, it's really about the acquisition of data and the interpretation and understanding of that data." "I think the companies that are going to be successful in this next cycle are going to be the ones that effectively tell that story." 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: ○      Canstar: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/canstar-resources ○      JCG: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcgironjr/ ○      Will Upshur: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willupshur/ ●      X (Twitter): https://x.com/Canstar_Rox Contacts: ●      JCG: jc@canstarresources.com ●      Will: will@canstarresources.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 Stephen Mullowney, CEO and Director of TRX Gold, a Canadian listed miner who are rapidly advancing their flagship Buckreef project in Tanzania, Africa. Stephen has over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and investments working for the likes of PwC and National Bank financial. He has been in the CEO role since 2020 and he shares his journey, what TRX Gold have been up to, the challenges they have faced including adopting new technologies, and discusses how they are working and helping the local communities and much more… KEY TAKEAWAYS The company faced significant challenges, including financial losses and a strained relationship with the government. Strategic capital raising and restructuring were essential to turn the situation around and achieve operational success. TRX Gold prioritises local employment and community benefits, ensuring that a significant portion of the workforce comes from the surrounding areas. This approach helps build strong relationships and secures the social license to operate. The company is leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency, such as using drone surveying and advanced planning software, while balancing the need for local employment opportunities. With a positive outlook on gold prices driven by geopolitical risks and inflation, TRX Gold aims to increase production and exploration efforts, focusing on cost management and cash flow generation to support growth initiatives. BEST MOMENTS "My leadership style is one of consensus building and consensus decision making. I like to have individuals that have an opinion and that will want to add an opinion to come forward." "When I joined, the company was losing money. It didn't have a lot of treasury. Its relationship with the government needed improvement." "We're 100% local people operating the asset. The team on the ground has done a great job of staying out ahead of the bottlenecks." "I think gold prices are going to continue to perform in an upward direction and continue to move higher." 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/trx-gold-corporation/ Website: https://trxgold.com/ X: @TRXGoldCorp Stephen Mullowney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mullowney-b9b63320/ X: @StephenMullown1 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 Steve Virtue, a communications and public affairs executive within the mining industry with deep expertise providing leadership to the sector, whether junior miners, producers, and mining suppliers.  He brings a 25 year career as a public affairs professional, having spent much of the past 15 years working in and around the sector, helping to improve outcomes for some of the largest brands in mining. He brings exceptional skills as a government relations, communications, and stakeholder engagement professional. As an active listener to the podcast, Steve discusses political risks in mining as we have seen a recent surge in government intervention around the world within our industry and wanted to provide some content around this and how mining companies could possibly navigate their way around certain situations and how to best market yourselves in the media. We also speak about branding and social media in our industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Public affairs play a crucial role in supporting mining operations by managing relationships with government stakeholders, ensuring smooth operations, and mitigating political risks. Effective public affairs strategies can help mining companies navigate regulatory changes and maintain profitability. Governments are seeking genuine partnerships with mining companies rather than transactional relationships. Mining companies need to be proactive, ambitious, and constructive in their engagement with government officials to foster trust and collaboration. The political landscape is increasingly volatile, with significant changes in government leadership around the world. Mining companies must be prepared to adapt to these shifts, as new administrations may introduce unpredictable policies that can affect operations and profitability. The media industry is undergoing significant changes, with a decline in traditional outlets and a rise in citizen journalism. Mining companies need to adapt their communication strategies to effectively engage with audiences through digital platforms and social media, ensuring their narratives are heard amidst the noise. BEST MOMENTS "Governments are looking for partners. They want a real meaningful relationship, not just a transactional one where you come to me, solve my problem, and then move on." "The reality is that they do still require a very human touch. Public affairs is the exclusive domain of the relationship." "If you're tired of hearing your own voice, then let somebody else's voice speak for you. Talk about your social license to operate in the community." "There's a real education process that needs to happen. Mining is an environmentally friendly cause in many respects." 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 www.linkedin.com/in/stevevirtue/ https://x.com/stevevirtue Email - stevevirtue@icloud.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 Joe David, MD of Elementos, a resources development company focused on the exploration and development of tin projects into operations, with a focus on jurisdictions that demonstrate a high level of governance and foster a responsible approach to mining. Their assets are in Spain and Australia. With qualifications in Mine Engineering, Civil Engineering, and a degree in Finance, Joe’s career has spanned executive roles with private equity, listed and private mining companies, as an Associate Director within M&A advisory and running his own project development consulting company. During his career, he has managed the development of mining projects, bankable feasibility studies, exploration and metallurgical programs, project financing, corporate finance advisory, corporate strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. He gives us an overview of Elementos, their Oropesa Tin Project and Cleveland Project, the tin market, and advice for those seeking c-suite roles in mining. KEY TAKEAWAYS Elementos is a resources development company focused on tin projects in Spain and Australia. The company aims to become a vertically integrated tin producer within the European Union, addressing the current lack of domestic tin supply in the region. The flagship asset, the Oropesa Tin Project in Andalusia, Spain, is positioned to produce approximately 5,400 tonnes of tin concentrate per year. The project benefits from a supportive regulatory environment and is expected to receive necessary permits by the end of 2025 or early 2026. The Cleveland Tin Project in Tasmania has a rich history of tin mining and significant resources. Recent drilling has revealed promising tungsten mineralization, indicating potential for additional valuable resources alongside tin and copper. While developing mining projects in Europe can be challenging due to regulatory hurdles, Spain is seen as a favourable location due to its historical mining background and government support for revitalising the industry. The European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act further encourages domestic production, making it an attractive environment for mining investments. BEST MOMENTS "For me, I want to explain how I've got to where I am in my career, certainly took the generalist path, which can certainly be a frustrating path when you don't feel like maybe you're progressing as much as the specialist early in your career." "There's currently no operating tin mines within the European Union at all. There's no domestic supply."  "The tin industry has been screaming out for vertical integration for a while... we're just not a company that's prepared to sit around and wait." "Spain is a bit of an outlier... the Iberian Peninsula has had a long history of mining... and the Andalusian government is putting huge investment effort into rebuilding the Spanish mining industry."  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.elementos.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/elementos-limited/ https://x.com/ElementosTin 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 Sawyer and Mike Stuart of Omico Mining Corp who are a joint venture between Greenstone Resources LP, a private equity fund specialising in the mining and metals sector, and International Base Metals Limited, an Australian natural resources unlisted public company and advancing the development of the copper asset in central Namibia. Mark has a background in finance and law and Mike’s background is in geology. Today we talk about the history of the business, their recent released BFS, the project and discuss what’s happening in the market. KEY TAKEAWAYS Omico Mining Corp is a joint venture between Greenstone Resources LP and International Base Metals Limited, focusing on the development of a copper asset in Namibia. The company aims to leverage its expertise in finance, law, and geology to advance the project. The project will utilise solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW) processing technology, specifically a chloride heap leach method. This approach has been optimized over four years of metallurgical testing, resulting in reduced acid consumption and shorter leach cycle times. The project is situated in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with existing infrastructure, including access to power and water. A 70-kilometre power line will be built, and a significant aquifer has been identified for water supply, which is crucial for the heap leaching process. Omico Mining Corp already holds a valid mining license until 2036. The company has completed the environmental and social impact assessments and is awaiting environmental clearance, which is expected in the first quarter of the following year. BEST MOMENTS "We see this time and time again... corners were cut. A lot of money was wasted. I think there was a missed opportunity to look at this from an entirely different perspective." "The advantage of using heap leach over the previous ideas of using flotation was that it uses about a third of the water previously." "This is a project that will get built. The challenge for us is to put the right structure in place to move the project forward." "There is exploration potential around the whole dome. We haven't focused on it in the last few years... but there is some potential." "Given the scarcity of shovel-ready copper projects out there, there's a lot of interest in it right now." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        rob@mining-international.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ X:              https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast  Web:        http://www.mining-international.org GUEST SOCIALS https://www.greenstoneresources.com/ https://www.omicomining.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 Nick Bell, Global Sector Lead Mining, Minerals, and Metals at Worley, who are a global leader in engineering, project delivery, and consultancy for the energy, chemicals, and resources sector and helps customers achieve sustainable transformation, net-zero targets and innovative solutions. Nick has a background in metallurgy and engineering and has worked for some of the leading engineering consultancies during his career. We talk about some of the biggest challenges that the mining industry is facing, trust in our industry, the risks and opportunities in automation and long-term global trends that will shape the mining industry over the next decade. KEY TAKEAWAYS The mining industry faces significant challenges in meeting the growing demand for critical minerals, particularly due to a decline in major deposit discoveries and lengthy mine development timelines, which average around 16.9 years. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, complicating the permitting process and increasing costs for miners. The industry must find ways to balance the need for more metals with these elevated ESG standards. Trust between mining companies, local communities, and regulators is crucial for project success. Establishing a common purpose and practicing the four legs of trust—reliability, openness, acceptance, and congruence—are essential for fostering collaboration. Automation presents significant opportunities for improving safety and productivity in mining operations. However, the industry must carefully manage the change associated with automation, as it can impact employment and community relationships. BEST MOMENTS "Projects move at the pace of trust... finding a common purpose against which everybody can align is very, very difficult."  "We're simply not finding enough major deposits that... proved to be economically viable in today's environment." "If you can't find... a common purpose, it's our job as the industry to build that trust."  "The elevated ESG requirements... mean that it lengthens the time and the costs of getting that metal to market." "Now is still a good time to be in mining compared to any time in my history."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        rob@mining-international.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ X:              https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast  Web:        http://www.mining-international.org GUEST SOCIALS https://www.worley.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/worley/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-bell-383b919/ 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 Richard Osmond, CEO of Element 29 Resources who are an emerging junior resource company with a highly experienced management team and board focused on exploring and growing its porphyry copper-molybdenum-silver resource deposits in Perú, one of the lowest-cost, lowest-risk mining jurisdictions globally. Richard has over 25 years of experience in the mining sector across North America, Europe, and Scandinavia, working for companies like INCO, Falconbridge and Anglo American. Richard discusses the history of Element 29, the projects they are involved in, Peru as a mining jurisdiction, the challenges they have faced, and the leadership qualities needed for a junior miner. KEY TAKEAWAYS Element 29 is an emerging junior resource company focused on exploring and developing porphyry copper, molybdenum, and silver deposits in Peru. The company was spun out from Globetrotters Resource Group, which spent seven years building a copper portfolio before listing in late 2020. Peru is recognised as one of the lowest risk mining jurisdictions globally, being the second-largest copper producer. The country has a strong mining sector that contributes significantly to its economy, with a free trade agreement and bilateral investment treaties that protect foreign investments. Elida is the flagship project of Element 29, featuring a porphyry copper-molybdenum-silver deposit. The project has shown promising initial resource estimates, and the company is currently drilling to expand the resource base and improve the quality of the starter pit. Copper Market Outlook: There is an anticipated supply crunch in the copper market, driven by increasing demand for copper in renewable energy and technology sectors. The company expects copper prices to rise due to the imbalance between supply and demand, with a focus on making new discoveries to meet future needs. BEST MOMENTS "Peru is, generally speaking, it's held a position as the second largest copper producer globally... Mining makes up about 60% of Peru's exports and about 10% of the country's GDP." "We feel that, you know, we've been looking for copper for quite a long time. We've sort of known that this copper crunch was coming." "We outlined an inferred mineral resource estimate of about 321.7 million tons of 0.32 copper, 0.03 molybdenum, and 2.6 grams per ton silver." "We do a lot of work on health, safety and security, implementing best practices... We want to make sure that we do best practices from a sustainability perspective." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        rob@mining-international.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ X:              https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast  Web:        http://www.mining-international.org GUEST SOCIALS https://www.linkedin.com/company/element-29-resources-inc/ https://x.com/CopperE29 https://e29copper.com/ https://e29copper.com/_resources/presentations/corporate-presentation.pdf?v=112103 888-246-7881 (toll free in North America) info@e29copper.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 have a returning guest who appeared back in December 2019 (Episode 55). Martin Horgan, formally the CEO of Centamin, a gold producer with an operation in Egypt who have recently been acquired by Anglo Gold Ashanti as of 22nd November. A mine engineer by background, Martin has 30 years of experience in the industry working in the field, consultancy, and on the banking side before starting his own mining company, Toro Gold before selling this to Resolute. For the last 4 years, he has been at the helm of Centamin, transforming the company and its flagship operation Sukari into what it is today. Martin takes us through his career and journey and talks about his more recent success with Centamin and what he did to change the fortunes of the business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Martin has a diverse background in mining, spanning over 30 years, including roles in operations, consultancy, and investment banking. His experience has equipped him with a broad understanding of the mining sector, which he leveraged to transform Centamin. Upon joining Centamin, Martin focused on improving geological understanding, which led to a significant increase in the underground reserve from 400,000 ounces to 1 million ounces. This foundational change allowed for better mine planning and execution, ultimately enhancing production capacity. It's vital to build strong relationships with local communities, regional authorities, and national governments. Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for navigating the complexities of operating in riskier jurisdictions, particularly in West Africa. The launch of Centamin's decarbonisation roadmap was driven by both a moral imperative to mine responsibly and investor expectations for transparency and sustainability. Martin believes that mining must demonstrate its role in decarbonisation and societal benefit to maintain its social license to operate. BEST MOMENTS "I think the thing that sort of surprised me within the West African sphere is that it was the rate of change... it's how quickly they changed as well." "If you get the right people in place... that's what drives success to my mind, you know, ore bodies are ore bodies." "We went from zero to in excess of 50 female professional employees at Sukari in a couple of years." "If you're focused on that, if that's your primary driver, then that does a couple of things for you if you end up in a transaction phase." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        rob@mining-international.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ X:              https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast  Web:        http://www.mining-international.org GUEST SOCIALS https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-horgan-038b298/ 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 Stuart McDonald, President and CEO of Vancouver headquartered Taseko Mines, a dynamic and growing mid-tier mining company, driven to unlock the true value of copper for a complex and changing world. The companies corporate strategy has been to grow the company sustainably and profitably by focusing on the continued operations of its foundational asset, the Gibraltar Mine in central British Columbia, and the advancement of North America’s next copper mine, Florence Copper in Arizona - while also advancing its pipeline of advanced-stage development projects. Stuart is a senior corporate executive with more than 30 years of experience in mining, corporate development, financial and management roles. He shares his career and journey with us, the history of Taseko Mines, updates on projects, their ESG initiatives, and the future of copper in the coming decades. KEY TAKEAWAYS Taseko Mines is a mid-tier mining company focused on copper production, with its foundational asset being the Gibraltar mine in British Columbia and the upcoming Florence Copper project in Arizona, which is currently under construction. The Florence Copper project utilises in-situ copper recovery, which is a low-impact mining method that results in lower operating costs and a significantly reduced environmental footprint compared to traditional mining methods. Taseko prioritises environmental protection and community engagement, having developed a production test facility to demonstrate the viability of its mining method and to gain regulatory approval before scaling up to commercial production. The demand for copper is expected to grow significantly due to the global shift towards electrification and renewable energy, while the supply side faces challenges, potentially leading to a shortfall in copper availability by the mid-2030s. Taseko aims to transition from a single-mine to a two-mine company with the completion of the Florence project in late 2025, while also advancing the Yellowhead copper project through feasibility studies and permitting processes. BEST MOMENTS "I think we've got a great opportunity in the coming years to grow our business."  "The Florence Project is pretty unique in the copper world. It's an in-situ copper recovery project."  "We'll produce refined copper cathode with a carbon footprint about 80% less than a conventional copper mine."  "It's going to be a very busy time for us in the next six to 12 months."  VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        rob@mining-international.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ X:              https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast  Web:        http://www.mining-international.org GUEST SOCIALS https://www.tasekomines.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TasekoMines https://x.com/TasekoMines  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsydp9xsrB6KuZEwbFDsGHA https://www.instagram.com/tasekomines/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/taseko/  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 have a returning guest who appeared back in March 2022 (episode 226). Alan Clegg whose had a long and established career in mining for over 4 decades working in various aspects of metals & minerals value chain from exploration through to mine closure, including financing of projects, projects management & projects construction & execution, he’s done it all. He also published more than 20 technical papers & presented at numerous international conferences and today talks about a variety of topics including precious metals, PGM’s, the energy transition, ESG and more. Some controversial topics with valid explanations but with truth always in Alan’s mind. KEY TAKEAWAYS Gold has historically been viewed as a store of wealth, with its price fluctuations often reflecting the depreciation of fiat currencies rather than changes in its intrinsic value. Recent trends show a significant increase in gold prices, driven by global economic uncertainties and increased central bank purchases. Silver is primarily an industrial metal, with significant demand stemming from its use in electronics and solar panels. The market is currently facing a deficit, and retail interest in silver is growing as more individuals seek affordable ways to invest in precious metals. The platinum group metals (PGMs) market has experienced volatility due to shifts in automotive technology, particularly the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. Despite this, there is a projected market deficit for platinum, indicating potential future value. The so-called "green transition" is not a true transition but rather an addition of energy sources. The demand for critical minerals, particularly for battery production, is expected to outpace supply, raising concerns about the feasibility of fully replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. BEST MOMENTS "Gold has been seen as a store of wealth for more than 5,000 years... an ounce of gold today is still an ounce of gold, despite price fluctuations." "The current estimates suggest that China may have as much as 30,000 tons of gold... a hedge against fiat currency failure." "The silver market is facing a net deficit of around 700,000 to 800,000 ounces in 2024, which is quite large." "For every thousand deposits of metals and minerals that we discover, only one or two become tier one producing mines." VALUABLE RESOURCES Mail:        rob@mining-international.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/ X:              https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast  Web:        http://www.mining-international.org GUEST SOCIALS alan@ukwazi.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-m-clegg-pr-eng-00227a9/ 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.