In this episode, Sarah Gordon speaks with Laura Mallabone, a chemical engineer turned risk and sustainability specialist, about the critical role of risk management in shaping responsible mining. From her early career in engineering and insurance to working within major mining companies, Laura shares how her perspective evolved - and why integrating risk across organisations remains one of the sector’s biggest challenges.  

The conversation explores how decisions are really made in mining, and why risks are still too often treated in isolation rather than as interconnected systems. Laura highlights the importance of values-driven decision-making, trust, and transparency, arguing that sustainability is not just about recognising risks - but actively managing them in ways that shape long-term outcomes.  

Together, they unpack complex topics including investor behaviour, the lasting lessons of major industry events, and the growing influence of “critical minerals” narratives. The discussion also dives into the realities of energy transitions, the role of coal and nuclear, and why context matters when defining what is truly “critical.”