Dig Deep

The practical challenge is that mines are high-energy, high-utilisation, long-life operations. Haul trucks run 16–18 hours a day, processing plants consume enormous power, and assets stay in service for decades. Diesel has very high energy density and fast refuelling — so any alternative has to compete on uptime, not just emissions. On top of that, many mines are remote and off-grid. Electrifying equipment means redesigning the entire power backbone — generation, storage, charging infrastructure — not just replacing engines. So the real challenge isn’t technology availability, it’s integrating new energy systems into capital-intensive operations without compromising safety, productivity or cost per tonne. So, what then are the key opportunities for operators to lower lifecycle GHG emissions from mining operations? And what are some practical actions the industry can take? Hear from Andy Hattersley, Senior Global Product Advisor for ExxonMobil and Julian Soles, who has extensive sector experience from his work with FLSmidth, Anglo and First Mode, in a one-off podcast hosted by ExxonMobil on 21 April. The discussion will explore how mining companies are adapting to the energy transition, key barriers to reducing emissions and practical steps to take the industry into a lower-emissions future. Veteran mining podcast host Rob Tyson will moderate. Learning objectives: Barriers to progress in reducing GHG emissions in mining. Choices and pathways operators are exploring to reduce emissions while optimising productivity. The anticipated energy mix of the mining haul fleet of 2040. Practical steps mining operators can take this year to shift their businesses into a lower emissions future. KEY TAKEAWAYS As human population and technological reliance grow, the global mining output must increase despite facing the continuous operational challenge of declining ore grades. The processing of large rocks into fine powder consumes a massive 40% to 60% of a mine's continuous energy, making simple choices like powering down the process incredibly difficult. Mining operators have historically been risk-averse regarding new infrastructure because core assets are capital-intensive and designed to last for up to 50 to 100 years. Early data shows that incorporating quick-charging plug-in hybrid battery systems into current diesel fleets can reduce overall diesel consumption by upwards of 30%. BEST MOMENTS "Mining is incredibly diverse... whether your mine is on-grid, whether it's off-grid, whether it's above ground, whether it's below ground” "Because of all those things, mining is generally very risk-averse at adopting new technologies. They want to see it—has it worked somewhere else? Has it worked for that particular ore type?” "The best thing you can do is not consume—don't consume the kilowatt-hour if you can avoid it" 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 RESOURCES ExxonMobil LinkedIn channel: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/exxonmobil-global-land-fuels/ ExxonMobil Whitepaper Download Link: https://bit.ly/wp-mining-forward-lower-emission-mining-operations 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. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Jeff Clark, one of the most respected voices in the precious metals sector and editor of The Gold Advisor. For decades, Jeff has been helping investors navigate the gold and silver markets, identifying opportunities across mining equities and providing insight into the macroeconomic trends that drive commodity prices. With gold reaching record highs and renewed interest returning to the mining sector, it's an important time to understand where we are in the cycle, what factors are driving precious metals, and where the greatest opportunities may lie for investors. In this episode, we discuss gold versus silver, the impact of inflation, debt, interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty, how investors should be positioning themselves today, the criteria Jeff uses when selecting mining stocks, and the key catalysts that could shape the sector over the next 6 to 12 months. Jeff will also share his outlook on mining equities, whether capital is finally flowing back into the sector, and what investors should be watching that could either support or challenge the current bullish case for precious metals. If you want to know more about precious metals, then check out The Gold Advisor, a free way to stay on top of the biggest moves in gold, silver, and mining stocks. Jeff Clark and the team break down what matters, why it matters, and where the best opportunities may be shaping up — with timely market insight, company commentary, and ideas investors can actually use. You can sign up here for free: https://thegoldadvisor.com/?refpartner=109 This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit ⁠www.mining-international.org KEY TAKEAWAYS While gold frequently commands the headlines with record high prices, silver remains significantly undervalued based on historical ratios and represents a greater opportunity for investors. When vetting junior mining companies, evaluating the track record, integrity, and skin in the game of the management team is more critical than looking at impressive drill results alone. Significant capital flows will flood the tiny precious metals sector once the broader, overvalued stock market begins to weaken and correct. BEST MOMENTS "The financial system has not reset. The debt level hasn't been dealt with yet” "These junior stocks that we invest in are already high-risk investments. Let's take that risk and lower it" "You only need a little bit of capital coming into this sector to greatly influence it. If 6% of the current value of cash, bonds, and stocks in the equity market were to come over into the gold sector, the gold sector would triple overnight." 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 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. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, we chat with Chris Hopkins, CEO of Canadian Energy Metals, a company advancing the Thor project, one of the more exciting emerging critical minerals developments in North America. Thor is attracting attention not only because of the scale of the deposit, but also because of its strategic importance. With North America currently importing most of its alumina, projects like this could play a significant role in strengthening domestic supply chains. Add to that a strong local infrastructure, including rail, power, and nearby hydro, and it becomes a very interesting development story. Chris brings a wealth of technical and leadership experience to the project, guiding it from early concept through testing and toward potential production. We talk about the discovery itself, the technical milestones that proved the project could work, and the broader role it could play in the future of critical minerals in North America. KEY TAKEAWAYS Initially thought to be 30 meters thick, the Thor deposit is actually over 90 meters thick. It represents approximately one-third of the world’s known aluminium supply in an area the size of a medium city. Currently, North America has no major domestic sources of aluminium. The Thor project is positioned to transform local supply chains and decrease reliance on imports. The processing techniques used for the Thor project are cleaner, more effective, and use less energy than traditional bauxite recovery. The project benefits from existing rail, power, and nearby hydro-infrastructure in Saskatchewan, which allows investment capital to go directly into development rather than remote site preparation. BEST MOMENTS "The magnitude, the sheer magnitude, was overwhelming." "I can't understate how important the potential for North America to have a domestic source of aluminium can be." "Every step is a de-risking step... the risks don't go away, they change." "For me, mining is the most exciting industry in the world. It has been a spectacular career." GUEST RESOURCES https://www.canadianenergymetals.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-energy-metals-corp/ 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 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. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/