Dig Deep

In this episode, we chat with Justin Walls, a principal consultant specializing in tailings and mine closures for SRK Consulting in Australia, who are a global firm that provides technical services for mining and exploration projects.

Justin discusses looking at proactive tailings closure and why balancing compliance, reducing liabilities, and adding value through strategic planning is important, and why companies should take note.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

BEST MOMENTS

"I see myself as a bit of a recovering tailings engineer at this point in time."

"It's never too early... it would be a lot easier and reduce your liability quite a lot if you did it earlier on."

"If mining companies don't do it properly, you're gonna end up as long-term land management companies."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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 

Contacts:

Social media links:

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

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

Podcast Description

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we have a returning guest who appeared in Jan 2025 (Episode 497), 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. Juan gives us an update on proceedings since we last spoke, their new JV agreement, VMS deposits, and why they are attractive propositions, their recently launched deep geophysics survey update, and discusses their unique board and what they bring to the company and much more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Canstar Resources has entered a significant joint venture with VMS Mining Corporation, which involves a phased investment totalling $11.5 million for a 60% ownership stake in Canstar's VMS assets. This structure is designed to be non-dilutive for existing shareholders.
• The Buchans District in Newfoundland is historically significant for its high-grade VMS deposits. Canstar's projects, Buchans and Mary March, are located in this area, which has seen limited exploration using modern geophysical techniques, suggesting substantial untapped potential.
• Canstar is also exploring its Golden Baie project, which has significant antimony potential. Antimony is critical for military and high-tech applications, and its rising demand presents a strategic opportunity for the company.
• Canstar plans to advance its exploration programs at both the Buchans and Mary March projects, with ongoing geophysical surveys and drilling activities. The company aims to execute its strategy efficiently in 2025, leveraging its partnerships and expertise to drive discoveries.

BEST MOMENTS

"Canstar Resources is a TSX-V listed junior that's focused on transforming neglected mineral systems into strategic assets for the next supercycle." 

"This joint venture... is non-dilutive and it's serious capital in the ground on an accelerated basis, really looking for a tier one discovery." 

"VMS deposits are very interesting in part because they're polymetallic... they give you economic flexibility and exposure to not only critical metals, but also precious metals." 

"The best place to look for a new deposit is in the shadow of the headframe." 

"Antimony is a mineral that is absolutely critical for military and high technology applications." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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: [email protected]

Will: [email protected]

https://www.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

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

Podcast Description

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Oscar Louzada and Rayiez Bhoelan of Sranan Gold, who are a Canadian exploration company advancing the Tapanahony Project in Suriname's Guiana Shield, targeting multimillion-ounce gold deposits.

They give us an overview of the company and their Tapanahony Gold Project, Suirname as a mining jurisdiction, their collaboration with Dr. Dennis LaPoint, and how they are engaging with local communities.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Sranan Gold is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing the Tapanahony project in Suriname, a region known for its rich artisanal gold mining and potential for significant mineral deposits.
• The team at Sranan Gold, including local geologist Reyes Bellini, emphasises the importance of understanding the unique geological and environmental conditions of Suriname, which enhances their exploration efforts.
• Sranan Gold is committed to engaging with local communities, particularly the Ugan Maroon Nation, by creating job opportunities, respecting local customs, and ensuring that any future mining benefits the local population.
• The Tapanahony Gold Project is located in a highly fertile area for gold mineralisation, with the potential to host multiple significant gold deposits, making it an attractive site for exploration.

BEST MOMENTS

"We decided to set up our own little shop... ended up in Suriname, a country where very little exploration had been done before, but a country with great artisanal gold mining."

"The  Tapanahony Gold Project... has the potential to host 5 to 10 kilometers long zones of gold mineralization."

"Suriname is an overall mining-friendly country... we have the right geology for world-class gold deposits and many other metals."

"We are always respecting their laws and their customs... if and whenever we discover a substantial mine, it'll also be to the benefit of the local community first."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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.sranangold.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sranan-gold/

https://x.com/SrananGold

Corporate Presentation May 2025: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8l4z3mclbuuhjipt1bw3l/Sranan-Gold-corporate-presentation-May-2025.pdf?rlkey=98nxm24ehp62pqvktuuyhgypn&st=k0ctxyn7&dl=0 

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

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

Podcast Description

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Richard Carleton, CEO of the Canadian Securities Exchange, who provides a modern and efficient alternative for companies looking to access the Canadian public capital markets

With qualifications in law and history, Richard and the CSE team have positioned the exchange to take a leading role in the provision of public capital to entrepreneurial companies; since 2014, the CSE has set a series of records for new listings, capital raised by issuers, and trading turnover. Richard shares his thoughts on the fluctuations in commodity prices and why it's affecting our industry, speaks about the geopolitical tensions that we are experiencing today, the progress being made toward addressing abusive short selling, carbon and DEI reporting requirements, and encouraging public pension plans to allocate capital to Canadian small caps and much more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The CSE serves as a modern and efficient alternative for companies seeking access to Canadian public capital markets, particularly for early-stage companies in sectors like mining, technology, and life sciences.
• Fluctuations in commodity prices significantly affect funding for exploration and development companies. The ability to secure investment is closely tied to the perceived value of the underlying minerals, and there are concerns about potential manipulation of prices that could hinder investment in Canadian resources.
• There is a growing recognition among Canadian provincial and federal governments of the need to support mining infrastructure, including roads, rail, and refining capabilities, to enhance the country's position as a reliable supplier of critical minerals.
• The CSE is working with regulators to address abusive short selling practices in the junior mining sector. Changes to rules and the clearing and settlement system are expected to reduce the prevalence of short selling, improving the market experience for junior companies.
• There is momentum behind encouraging Canadian public pension plans to allocate capital to small-cap companies, particularly in the mining sector. This shift is seen as crucial for providing the necessary funding for exploration and development, which has historically relied on retail investors.

BEST MOMENTS

"What we don't have... is in the infrastructure required to move the ores to refining and smelting capability." 

"I think it's fair to say we've seen that impact across the board. It's my sense... that the world price is being manipulated." 

"Mining is a provincial responsibility... it's really up to the provinces to provide the permitting, the rules, the regulations around exploration and mining development." 

"There are still a significant number of brokers that do provide advisory services to the mining industry specifically." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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://thecse.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-securities-exchange/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHAlYSqAf_2dGADm9yiqTiw

https://x.com/CSE_News

https://www.instagram.com/canadianexchange/

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

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

Podcast Description

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode we chat to Graham Grant, CEO of Seequent, world leaders in earth-modelling, analysis, data management and collaboration software. They help organisations to understand the underground, giving the confidence to make better decisions faster.

Graham has a background in logistics and shipping and has been with Seequent for the past 13 years and is on the podcast today to talk about the company, technology,  their recently launched open software platform Seequent Evo, talent and skills shortage in our industry and how they are adapting and what the mining industry can learn from other industries.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Geoscience plays a crucial role in the mining industry by helping to identify valuable minerals underground. It involves complex processes that require accurate data collection and analysis to ensure economic extraction of resources.
• Sequent recently launched an open software platform called Sequent Evo, designed to address significant challenges in the mining industry, such as fragmented information systems and disconnected data. This cloud-native platform aims to enhance collaboration, drive automation, and facilitate faster decision-making.
• The mining industry is facing a significant skills gap due to a decline in new graduates entering geoscience programs and the retirement of experienced professionals. Initiatives like Visible Geology aim to engage younger audiences and promote interest in geology and mining careers.
• There are valuable lessons to be learned from other industries, such as oil and gas and civil infrastructure. For instance, the mining sector can benefit from adopting real-time downhole measurement techniques used in oil and gas to improve drilling efficiency and reduce costs.

BEST MOMENTS

"We are a software company that specialises in geosciences, and we're global leaders in that space... our HQ's in New Zealand, but we have around 800 staff in many countries, thousands of customers, and those customers span 150 countries around the world."

"Mining companies are really cost sensitive... running operations cost effectively... we removed about 75% of all the repetitive tasks, which upped their employee productivity by about half."

"We've got a massive skills gap coming in the next 10 to 20 years... if you talk to your average geologist, they didn't find their way into the industry because a careers advisor told them to."

"We need innovative approaches, you need fresh thinking... "

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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.seequent.com/

https://www.visiblegeology.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamgrantuk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/seequent/

https://www.youtube.com/seequent

https://x.com/Seequentglobal

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

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

Podcast Description

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Wilson Monteiro, Global Business Line Manager for Gearless Mill Drives at ABB who are a leading provider of technologies and solutions for various industries, such as mining in motion, process and robotics.

Wilson tells us about ABB, gearless technology, predictive maintenance, automation, digitalisation, and much more around the process and technology space.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Wilson has a diverse background in electrical engineering, sales, and management, with extensive experience in automation and artificial intelligence. His career has spanned various roles at ABB and other companies, leading to his current position managing the gearless mill drive business globally.
• Uptime is critical in the mining industry, not only for profit but also for sustainability. Keeping machinery operational minimises CO2 emissions and maximises the efficiency of existing assets, which is increasingly important as the industry faces pressure to reduce emissions and improve productivity.
• Gearless mill drives (GMDs) are highlighted as a more energy-efficient solution compared to traditional technologies, offering up to 3.6% energy savings. This efficiency is significant when considering the large number of GMDs in operation globally, contributing to lower carbon footprints in mining operations.
• The shift towards integrated electrification, automation, and digitalisation is essential for modern mining operations. This integration leads to safer operations, fewer personnel on-site, and improved communication between systems, ultimately enhancing productivity and safety.
• Predictive maintenance, powered by AI, allows for proactive management of equipment by using real-time data to anticipate issues before they occur. This approach not only extends the life of machinery but also enhances operational efficiency and safety by reducing unexpected breakdowns.

BEST MOMENTS

"Uptime used to be all about profit. Today, it's about sustainability, too. Even a small hiccup can mean millions in lost production."

 "GMDs cut out mechanical losses because there is no gearbox or coupling. That alone gives you up to 3.6% energy savings."

"It's not cost versus reliability. They go hand in hand. Reliable systems mean fewer unexpected shutdowns, which means fewer people exposed to risk."

"Historically, mining has always been an industry slow to adopt change. There's a 

"Today, I can see some companies moving in a different pattern. Tech Quebrada Blanca is one of them; they have the best approach for operating a mine."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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://new.abb.com/mining/grinding/gearless-mill-drives

https://www.linkedin.com/company/abb/

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

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

Podcast Description

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics. 

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Krishan Gopaul, Senior Research Analyst at the World Gold Council, who are the authority on Gold. They explore the unique gold market and industry research, producing analysis, commentary, and insights on the precious metal to improve the understanding, access, and trust in the yellow metal.

Krishan has been with the World Council for over 14 years and is here today to give us an update on their latest Gold Demands Trend report for the first quarter of this year, some of the main drivers of gold at the moment, investor demand, and the activities of the central banks, and more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• In the first quarter of 2025, total gold demand increased by 1% to 1,206 tonnes, marking the highest first quarter of gold demand since 2016. Investment demand, particularly from gold ETFs, was a significant driver of this increase.
• The main drivers for gold demand included macroeconomic factors such as inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainties. Central banks continued to be a major source of demand, with ongoing purchases contributing to the overall support for gold prices.
• Retail investment in gold, particularly in bars and coins, saw a 3% year-on-year increase in the first quarter. This growth was driven by heightened uncertainty in the market, prompting both institutional and retail investors to seek gold as a safe haven asset.
• Central banks have been net buyers of gold since 2010, with significant purchases continuing into 2025. Emerging market central banks, such as those in Poland and China, were noted as key purchasers, maintaining a robust demand for gold.
• Jewellery demand faced pressure due to rising gold prices, with a 21% year-on-year decline in consumption. However, the value of gold jewellery sales increased by 40% year-on-year, indicating that consumers were spending more despite purchasing less volume, reflecting a shift towards viewing jewellery as an investment.

BEST MOMENTS

"We saw total gold demand in the first quarter up 1% to 1,206 tonnes, the highest first quarter of gold demand that we have seen since 2016."

"In times of heightened uncertainty, gold tends to perform well; people see it as a safe haven asset."

"Central banks have been net buyers of gold since 2010, and this trend is likely to persist."

"Jewellery consumption was down 21% year on year, unsurprisingly given the rapid increase in price that we've seen."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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

GDT Q1 2025 Press Release: https://bit.ly/3YwykqH 

GDT Trends Q1 2025 Report: https://bit.ly/3ERvS7z 

GUEST SOCIALS

https://www.gold.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishan-gopaul-32576114/

https://www.gold.org/goldhub/research/gold-demand-trends/gold-demand-trends-q1-2025

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

[email protected]

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 Adam Oehlman, CEO of African Gold, an ASX-listed junior explorer who are exploring and developing a multi-million ounce potential at the Didievi Gold project in Côte d’Ivoire.

With qualifications in Geology, Mineral and Energy Economics and an MBA, Adam is an experienced mining professional with a strong background in both technical and commercial roles, holding key positions at Northern Star, Hancock Prospecting, and Goldfields.

At the helm of African Gold, he gives us an overview of the business, recent activities they have undertaken, and some of the challenges they have faced and overcome. He understands the importance of mentoring, so he will provide some advice to young professionals starting out and the value you should always be looking to give your employees and others you work alongside in the industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Young professionals should seek guidance from experienced individuals and actively pursue opportunities rather than waiting for them to come.
• African Gold operates in Cote d'Ivoire, a premier West African mining jurisdiction with strong infrastructure and support from existing mining companies. The company is focused on exploring and developing its Didievi Gold Project, which has a maiden inferred resource of 450,000 ounces.
• The company is currently executing a 10,000-meter drilling program aimed at expanding its resource base. Adam believes that the current resource is just the beginning, with the potential to exceed one million ounces.
• Adam highlights the company's commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. African Gold actively supports local communities, including educational programs and training for locals, to foster trust and demonstrate the benefits of mining.
• With gold prices at record highs, African Gold is well-positioned to capitalise on market conditions. The company plans to release a resource update and continue drilling to unlock additional resource zones, maintaining a steady flow of positive news for investors.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think you'd be crazy not to have a big focus on community and environment these days. It's a massive focus of us."

"Every drill program we do, every hole we put in, there's gold in mind. It's not just drilling to test science; it's drilling to find answers and add shareholder value."

"Cote d'Ivoire is just an absolutely lovely place. I've just been so surprised how welcoming the people are, how good the infrastructure is."

"I always think people, you can probably live in your head a bit too much. So I think you probably need to think less and do more."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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://www.african-gold.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-gold/

X: https://x.com/AfricanGold_Ltd

Email: [email protected]

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

[email protected]

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 Nicole Richards, CEO of Allonnia, who are a company harnessing nature to solve the biggest environmental challenges for net positive impact. They transform liability into value by leveraging the power of biotechnology and engineered systems to help our customers reach their ESG goals in a waste-free world.

Nicole has over 28 years of industry leadership within water treatment, mining, and chemicals industries and gives us the history and story behind Allonnia, how they work with mining companies, how their technology helps mining companies hit their sustainability goals and thoughts on the trade wars that are having an impact on our industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Allonnia is leveraging synthetic biology to innovate within the mining industry, focusing on transforming waste into value and addressing sustainability challenges through biotechnology.
• The company is developing solutions for environmental contaminants like 1,4-Dioxane and PFOS, showcasing the potential of biotechnology to remediate harmful substances in various industries, including mining.
• Allonnia's first product, D-Solve, aims to selectively remove impurities from ore, which can enhance the grade of metals like nickel and improve overall mining efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
• The mining industry is increasingly open to innovation, with major companies actively seeking partnerships with startups to test and implement new technologies, creating opportunities for faster commercialisation.
• Focus on Value Unlocking: The immediate economic drivers for biotech in mining are centred around unlocking value from low-grade ores and waste streams, with long-term goals of reducing environmental liabilities and promoting sustainable practices.

BEST MOMENTS

"Waste is a failure of the imagination. How do you take synthetic biology or really transformational biology and bring that into these processes?" 

"In the near term, the biggest driver is in the value unlock... around metals recovery from low-grade ores and waste streams." 

"If you shut down a mine for a minute, the millions of dollars they're going to lose is incredible." 

"The way we look at it... is that that's been a huge improvement. They're creating innovation challenges." 

"What is rare is countries being able to domesticate the processing of those rare earths."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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

• Get in touch at https://allonnia.com/contact-us/

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

[email protected]

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 Karl Akueson, Founder, CEO, and Director of Switch Metals, who are the largest holder of coltan (tantalum and niobium) and lithium licences in Côte d’Ivoire with over 3,000 km2 of licences with their flagship project being the Issia coltan project.

Karl is a natural resources entrepreneur and former investment banker with BMO Capital Markets in London, who co-founded Awale Resources and has now established Switch Metals. In this episode, he talks through his entrepreneur journey, the background to Switch Metals and their projects, Côte d’Ivoire as a mining jurisdiction, and the tantalum market, plus more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Switch Metals is primarily focused on tantalum, a metal used in various electronic devices due to its unique properties, such as heat resistance and conductivity. This focus differentiates the company from other mining ventures that typically concentrate on more common commodities like lithium.
• Cote d'Ivoire is highlighted as an attractive mining jurisdiction due to its infrastructure, stability, and under-explored potential. The country has a growing mining sector, particularly in gold, which provides a supportive environment for new ventures like Switch Metals.
• The company aims to generate early cash flow through shallow coltan placer mining at the Issia Coltan Project. This approach is designed to provide a strong cash flow foundation, allowing for sustainable operations and further exploration without relying heavily on equity financing.
• ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations are integral to Switch Metals' operations. The company emphasises ethical sourcing and community engagement, ensuring that local communities are informed and involved in the mining process, which helps mitigate the risks associated with artisanal mining.
• The immediate focus for Switch Metals is on resource definition through systematic pitting and bulk sampling to estimate the grade of tantalum. Following this, the company plans to conduct metallurgical studies and a scoping study to establish economic parameters, paving the way for future production.

BEST MOMENTS

"Tantalum is a metal that we use daily... It's used in capacitors, in the electronics industry particularly, but also in the cutting industry, in the alloy industry in general."

"Cote d'Ivoire had that potential, but nobody really knows about it... I decided to build a company around this potential in the past few years."

"We have this advantage of having both some material at surface... It's generally called placer deposits... It's something you can scratch from at the surface very shallow, it's free dig."

"ESG is inherent to what we do... We have no choice but to meet all these ESG criteria because our end clients want us to demonstrate that we have traceability."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail:        [email protected]

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:

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.linkedin.com/in/karl-akueson-b3456617/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/switch-metals/

https://switchmetals.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

[email protected]

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.