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Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast Podcast

Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast Podcast

By: Rob Tyson
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In this podcast, we discuss, educate and talk about industry news and hot topics, company reviews and live interviews with mining professionals and leading figures in the mining industry. Introducing your host Rob Tyson, Founder and Director of Mining International, a leading recruitment and headhunting agency based in the UK specialising in mining across the globe. We source and discover new talent to fill those difficult or challenging vacancies our clients have.

2025 Rob Tyson Career Success Economics Personal Finance Politics & Government
Episodes
  • From Military to Mining: Alex Walker's Journey and East Star Resources' Growth in Kazakhstan

    From Military to Mining: Alex Walker's Journey and East Star Resources' Growth in Kazakhstan
    Jun 4 2025
    In this episode, we have a returning guest who appeared back in Episodes 298 and 451, Alex Walker, CEO of East Star Resources, are focused on the discovery and development of VMS, porphyry and sediment hosted copper deposits in Kazakhstan A former captain in the Australian Army Reserves, Alex has more than 15 years of investment banking, mining finance, and management experience before joining East Star in 2021. He gives us an update since we last spoke in July 2024, updates on their drilling campaigns, ESG, and how Kazakhstan is developing as a mining jurisdiction. KEY TAKEAWAYS Kazakhstan is emerging as a favourable mining jurisdiction, attracting significant investment from major companies like Fortescue, Barrick, and Ivanhoe. The country has made strides in improving its regulatory framework, including digitising applications and maintaining a stable royalty rate.The company is utilising modern exploration techniques, including AI data processing and advanced geochemical sampling, to enhance target identification and reduce fieldwork time. These technologies are helping to refine their understanding of potential deposits.East Star is committed to integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its operations. The company emphasises community engagement, social responsibility, and minimizing environmental impact, particularly by leveraging existing infrastructure in the region.In the short to medium term, East Star Resources plans to initiate drilling at multiple targets, including Rulika and Teloskoi, while continuing to refine its resource model for Vucuba. The company aims to grow its resource base and advance towards feasibility studies within the year. BEST MOMENTS "Kazakhstan is a fantastic place. The people are very welcoming, very friendly. It's quite a melting pot... and certainly our friendship group here is quite diverse as well." "We think that Kazakhstan ticks that box massively... It's probably one of the few jurisdictions globally that you could say is moving in the right direction." "Copper is entering a multi-generational bull market... The new oil is copper because we need that to decentralise the grids." "We would like to start pushing that through scoping studies and into feasibility work. So I hope that we can do all of that this year." 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 standardConstruction risk reviewsAsset 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.eaststarplc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-star-resources/ https://x.com/EastStar_PLC 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. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
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    33 mins
  • Exploring High-Grade Gold Districts: Rua Gold's Journey in Reefton and Beyond

    Exploring High-Grade Gold Districts: Rua Gold's Journey in Reefton and Beyond
    Jun 1 2025
    In this episode, we have a returning guest who appeared in October 2024 (Episode 479). Robert Eckford, CEO of Rua Gold, a junior gold mining exploration company exploring two historic high-grade gold districts across New Zealand. Robert is a Chartered Accountant and a Master in Mineral Economics, where he began his career as a mining auditor and consultant at EY, before moving on and becoming a founding member of two successful mining ventures. He’s been at the helm as CEO of RUA Gold for nearly 18 months and gives us an update on the company, update on New Zealand as a mining jurisdiction, how they work with the local communities, what factors influence the company's strategic decisions, and the use of AI in exploration. KEY TAKEAWAYS New Zealand's Mining Landscape: The new political party in New Zealand has implemented a fast-track permitting process, allowing mines to be permitted in just six months, significantly reducing the bureaucratic hurdles that previously existed.Rural Gold has successfully acquired 95% of the Reefton gold district, which is rich in historic high-grade gold deposits. Recent drilling results have shown promising high-grade intercepts, indicating strong potential for future mining operations.Community Engagement: Rural Gold actively engages with local Maori groups and communities, fostering a collaborative relationship. The company provides updates and seeks feedback, emphasising a partnership approach rather than a confrontational one.Use of AI in Exploration: The company utilises AI technology, specifically a tool called Verify AI, to analyze large datasets and identify high-potential drilling targets. This approach enhances efficiency in exploration by focusing resources on the most promising areas.The junior mining sector faces significant challenges in securing funding, despite high gold prices. The need for continuous capital raises and the difficulty in attracting investment highlight the complexities of operating in this space. BEST MOMENTS "The way that we're going to help mining in New Zealand is actually just cut the red tape and get permitting done quicker." "We have 95% of the tenements there, and now we're uncovering the rest of that district." "Antimony is really interesting in the sense that it is the most scarce critical mineral of critical minerals." "I think the biggest factor for me is can you make this into a business?" 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 standardConstruction risk reviewsAsset 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.ruagold.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/rua-gold/ Contact: reckford@ruagold.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. 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/
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    51 mins
  • The Importance of Early Planning: How Mining Companies Can Optimise Tailings Storage Facility Closures

    The Importance of Early Planning: How Mining Companies Can Optimise Tailings Storage Facility Closures
    May 28 2025
    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 Mining companies should start thinking about tailings storage facility (TSF) closure designs early in the mining lifecycle, ideally during the operational phase, to reduce future liabilities and ensure financial efficiency.Meeting standards such as the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) is crucial for mining companies. Compliance should be viewed as a baseline, with companies encouraged to exceed these requirements to mitigate risks and enhance their reputation.Early collaboration with stakeholders, including local communities and regulators, is essential for successful closure planning. Engaging these groups helps align expectations and can lead to better outcomes for both the mining company and the community.Successful TSF closure projects often involve proactive planning and adjustments during operations. Conversely, failures typically stem from neglecting community needs and environmental considerations, leading to long-term liabilities. 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." "Closure planning... is an opportunity. It's a proactive way to reduce future liabilities." 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 standardConstruction risk reviewsAsset 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 Contacts: Website: https://www.srk.comSRK communications email address: communications@srk.com.auJustin: juwalls@srk.com.au Social media links: SRK: linkedin.com/company/srk-consultingJustin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-walls-3360a382/ 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. 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/
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    25 mins

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