If you’re a newbie or an emerging professional who wants to position himself in the mining industry, then the guest for today’s episode of “Dig Deep” - The Mining Podcast Dennis Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer for Phoenix Global Mining can surely help you!

Rob chats with Dennis about his experiences in the mining and recruitment industry. He has had directorial jobs for mining companies in the UK and other foreign countries throughout the years. He has visited sites and had hands-on experiences. This is in addition to what he’s been doing in his recruitment business: scouting the best mining team and advising the mining executives in improving their operations.

Aside from these, Dennis also gives pieces of advice to the incoming professionals and shares his insights on the future of the industry. Make sure to listen in to decide on what steps you should take for your career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• From mining to recruitment. Dennis’ fascination with rocks when he was a child led him to pursue mining engineering. He practised his profession in different countries including Uganda, South Africa, Russia, and Nigeria. It was when he got back to the UK for good that he was given a directorial job that involves recruitment and consulting.
• How's the mining industry in terms of recruitment? According to Rob, it's different and difficult recruiting in the mining industry. there's a lot of factors to consider - salary, living conditions, security, roster, etc.
• Lessons that he's learned along the way. Remember to be patient with people in the recruitment business. Treat people with a certain degree of empathy and always try to help them.
• What's mining's future like in the next 3-5 years?
  • One of the developments in the world is the move to green energy - electrical vehicles, wind farms, etc.
  • In the midst of a trade war, there's also a shortage of copper and other significant minerals that need to be addressed.
  • From a recruiter's perspective, there's a lot of juniors out there entering the industry.
• Dennis: "We've got to represent ourselves a lot better than we are."
  • One of the things that need improving in the industry is how to show valuable mining is to the world. People are unaware of that so promotion and advertising are needed.

BEST MOMENTS

• "I think the thing about the mining industry is it's full of characters... some good ones, some bad ones... most, I would say, mining people are of the highest ethical standards. that's something that's imbued in us."
• "People have to live. A lot of people don't realize that the world wouldn't exist without the mining industry."
• "The first great industry in the world is agriculture and farming because we have to eat and the second great industry is mining."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

• Telex
• Phoenix Global Mining (PGM)
• Cliffs Natural Resources
• Phoenix Global Mining (PGM)

ABOUT THE HOST

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 to people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.

 Rob 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 the first world to third world countries from Africa, Europe, 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’ organisation 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.

ABOUT THE GUEST

A well-known industry expert, Dennis Thomas has over 40 years of experience in the mining and recruitment industry having trained as a mine engineer but later went into the recruitment industry and successfully built a recruitment business over 30 plus years and was the leading mining recruitment consultancy in the UK. This led to further exploration, curiosity and extensive learning around the identification of new mining businesses and global opportunities worthy of potential investment.

Having sold his recruitment business 4-5 years ago, Dennis now serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Phoenix Global Mining and more recently they listed on the New York stock exchange. He possesses considerable experience gained via both Executive and Non-Executive Directorships for a number of UK, North American, Australian and Far East mining companies. Dennis is well-versed in the evaluation of mineral opportunities including assessments, feasibility studies, negotiating lease agreements and contractual arrangements, establishing new companies and directing start-up and development of new projects.

CONTACT METHOD

Rob Tyson

• Email Rob at [email protected]

Rob’s LinkedIn

Mining International Official Website

Mining International’s Twitter

Mining International’s Facebook

Dennis Thomas

• Email Dennis at [email protected]

Dennis’ LinkedIn

Phoenix Global Mining (PGM)