Blake McLaughlin on Axcap Ventures and the Future of Gold Mining

In this episode, we chat with Paul Heut, Executive Chair and CEO of Americas Gold & Silver, who are a growing precious metals mining company with multiple assets in North America, including the Galena Complex in Idaho, US, and their Cosala operation in Mexico. With a mine engineering background, Paul has a strong command of capital markets and has served at all levels of engineering and mine operations so well versed to build and develop a mining company. As the CEO, he is leading the company's strategic vision to establish it as a premier North American-focused silver producer. On the podcast, he speaks about the business, his experience turning around operations, the importance of mentorship, how to build a culture of safety and efficiency, and ways to acknowledge and reward employees. KEY TAKEAWAYS The transition from miner to CEO was significantly influenced by mentorship opportunities, including being sponsored for an engineering degree, which highlights the importance of investing in talent  The current strategy for America's Gold and Silver is operational success and efficiency, with a goal to increase silver production at the Galena Mine  Extensive knowledge in narrow vein mining and long hole methods is crucial for tackling technical challenges such as dilution control and stope stability America's Gold and Silver is undergoing a significant turnaround, focusing on strengthening its operations and financial position after previous struggles BEST MOMENTS "I started off at an entry-level position... it was about proving myself and what could I do over the next several years."  "One of the issues we're going to have in our industry in the future is the talent pool" "We have a very strong proven track record... we will get to 5 million ounces." "If you have any type of leniency or you give up too easy, you'll struggle in mining because this is an industry that's a tough business."  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 GUEST SOCIALS  https://americas-gold.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/americas-silver/ https://x.com/americas_silver https://www.instagram.com/americasgoldandsilver 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 Blake Mclaughlin, Vice President of Exploration at Axcap Ventures, a North American investment firm with a focus on mining, holding some of the most prospective gold belts in the United States and Canada, combining historical drilling success with modern exploration upside. Blake has spent over a decade in the mining and metals industry and is highly experienced in taking mining companies from development into production. From grassroots junior exploration to advanced exploration, resource development, and project construction. He’s worked for a number of companies in the pre-resource to maiden resource stage. Blake is on the podcast to give us an overview and history of Axcap, to talk about where to find exploration success, M&A in the junior space, and much more around the junior market. KEY TAKEAWAYS The company emphasises acquiring projects with substantial historical data and exploration spend, allowing them to leverage existing information The current macroeconomic environment, characterised by geopolitical stability and monetary policies, is seen as favourable for gold prices Axcap is actively conducting a 5,000-meter drill program at the Converse project, with initial results indicating promising intersections that could support a path toward a 10 million ounce resource Axcap Ventures aims to advance and de-risk its projects rather than build large-scale mines, positioning itself for potential acquisition by larger producers BEST MOMENTS The structural setup for gold to perform well for the foreseeable future is pretty strong, in my opinion." "We're in the middle of a 5,000 meter drill program right now at Converse in Nevada. The goal of this program is to show that there's a path towards a 10 million ounce resource." "I think the exploration upside is a big part of that. We're underpinned by resources, and each of them has a really paradigm-changing exploration attribute that we will test." 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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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  Axcap Ventures LinkedIn Page Blake McLaughlin LinkedIn Page Contact: [email protected] 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 twice back in 2022 (episodes 217 and 267). Marc Bishop Lafleche, CEO of Ecora Resources, who are a leading royalty company focused on supporting the supply of commodities essential to creating a sustainable future. Listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, they have a proven track record of delivering value-accretive growth. Marc has a banking and international finance background and has been with the company for the past 11 years, moving into the CEO role 3 years ago. Marc gives us an update on the company since we last spoke, and why they have changed focus, their recent acquisition, update on the current royalty market, and his thoughts on financing within the mining industry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ecora Resources has shifted from relying heavily on a single coal royalty stream (Kestrel) to diversifying its portfolio with future-facing minerals The company emphasises a strategy of quality over quantity in its royalty acquisitions, targeting low-cost assets that are expected to generate strong cash flows and withstand commodity price cycles. With a sector-leading copper pipeline, Ecora is well-positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for copper driven by urbanisation, renewable energy, and electric vehicles Royalty companies have become a key source of financing in the mining sector, providing flexible and less risky funding options compared to traditional debt and equity BEST MOMENTS "We've been quite deliberate and methodical... to build this business with the strategy of quality over quantity." "I think 2025 will be a pretty important year for this company... starting to see free cash flow growth from a lot of the assets we've put into the business." "The royalty sector has emerged as a key source of financing... because of its evergreen nature." "The demand for electricity and the need for these critical minerals to me is really, really clear." 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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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.ecora-resources.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecora-resources-plc https://x.com/EcoraResources 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 to Honourable Shane Jones, member of the NZ government and the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Resources, Associate Minister of Finance, and Associate Minister for Energy. Shane entered Parliament in 2005 and joined New Zealand First as an MP in 2017. As a proud born and bred Northlander, Shane has always asked the tough questions, identified policy solutions, and accelerated implementation in his political life …and has been a very vocal supporter of the mining industry, including the possibility of seabed mining. He very much sees New Zealand’s own natural resources as a pathway to economic prosperity, creating regional wealth and jobs.  On the podcast, we discuss what the mining industry means to NZ, the policies the government have, and are looking to implement to make the industry more attractive and why companies should invest into NZ’s mining industry and much more. KEY TAKEAWAYS The New Zealand government, under the leadership of Shane Jones, is committed to revitalising the mining industry, reversing previous bans on oil and gas New Zealand has developed a Critical Minerals List and a mineral strategy aimed at restoring pride in the natural resources sector The introduction of Fast Track legislation aims to streamline the environmental permitting process for mining projects, allowing for quicker allocation of permits  A $200 million co-investment fund has been established to encourage both local and international investment in the mining sector, addressing concerns about potential future government changes BEST MOMENTS "I believe a lot of the climate change hysteria is actually going to wreck Western economies unless we restore some balance to it."  "We've got a kind of figurative Sahara desert of iron sands resource, largely in the ocean."  "Any economy that races ahead, demonises, cancels its fossil fuels industry without an affordable strategy... is dicing with economic calamity."  "No one enjoys a perfect history. So what we've got to do is ensure that mining as it goes forward is strongly defended." VALUABLE RESOURCES A Minerals Strategy for New Zealand - Read more: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/energy-and-natural-resources/minerals-and-petroleum/strategies/a-minerals-strategy-to-2040 New Zealand’s Critical Minerals List - Read more: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/energy-and-natural-resources/minerals-and-petroleum/critical-minerals-list/critical-minerals-list-2025 Free access to geoscience data: https://www.nzpam.govt.nz/maps-geoscience/geodata-catalogue https://www.nzpam.govt.nz/maps-geoscience/core-store https://www.nzpam.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/the-mineral-potential-of-new-zealand-part-1-overview-of-new-zealands-mineral-deposits-and-their-resources.pdf Improving regulatory settings - Read more: https://www.nzpam.govt.nz/nz-industry/rules-regulations/fast-track-approvals-process Connecting with New Zealand’s mining sector - Read more: https://mineralscouncil.co.nz/ -Invest NZ - Read more: https://www.nzte.govt.nz/page/invest-or-raise-capital-with-nzte 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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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 CONTACT METHOD [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

In this episode, we have a returning guest who appeared back in November 2023 (Episode 392). Ed Bowie, CEO and Director at Beowulf Mining, a listed junior miner with a diversified portfolio of development-stage projects in iron ore, graphite, gold, and base metal projects in Sweden, Finland, and Kosovo. With an exploration geology background, Ed has over 20 years of experience in the natural resources sector, having worked in corporate, advisory, and fund management roles and across a broad range of commodities and jurisdictions. Ed is going to give us an update on the company and its projects, details around community engagement, the support they receive from the EU, and the commodity price outlook. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Kallak project is currently undergoing a pre-feasibility study, with recent metallurgical tests confirming the ability to produce a high-grade, low-impurity iron ore concentrate. A slurry pipeline solution has been proposed to minimize community impact and logistical challenges. Community engagement is central to Beowulf's development plans. The company prioritizes minimizing impacts on local stakeholders, particularly reindeer herders, and aims to secure a social license to operate through transparent communication and collaboration. The pre-feasibility study for the Graphintech project has shown promising results, with plans to produce 25,000 tons of anode material annually. The project has a projected NPV of €924 million for phase one and over €2 billion for a potential phase two expansion. Despite market fluctuations, the demand for high-quality iron ore and battery minerals is expected to rise, particularly as the steel industry shifts towards lower carbon technologies. BEST MOMENTS "We can produce an extremely high grade, low impurity concentrate suitable for decarbonizing the steel industry. So critical for the green transition in that respect." "The solution that we've come up with is a slurry pipeline... it would be unseen, unheard, wouldn't impact local communities, no safety risks on the road." "We intend to be a completely independent part of the supply chain, no dependence on China whatsoever." "The awareness of the importance of raw materials and raw materials supply chains is... now everybody is aware of it." 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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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.beowulfmining.com www.jokkmokkiron.se https://www.grafintec.fi/en/etusivu-en/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beowulf-mining-plc-bem-/ X: https://x.com/BeowulfMining 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 Neil Herbert, Chairman of Pulsar Helium, a leading primary helium exploration and development company listed in Canada and the United Kingdom, with its flagship Topaz Project in Minnesota, USA, which has one of the world's highest concentrations of helium. Neil brings over 30 years leading and advising companies from start up, through IPOs, development and over US$3bn of M&A.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Pulsar Helium is focused on a primary helium project in Minnesota, which boasts some of the highest concentrations of helium globally, with a significant advantage of having no hydrocarbon association. Helium is increasingly vital for various technological applications, particularly in microprocessor production and healthcare (e.g., MRI scanners).  The U.S. federal government is actively supporting projects like Pulsar Helium, aiming to ensure local supply chains for critical materials.  The project requires relatively modest capital expenditure (between $10 million to $50 million) due to its small footprint and the absence of toxic gases. Financing options include existing bank facilities and potential state and federal support. If current testing goes well, Pulsar Helium aims to reach a financial investment decision (FID) early next year, with potential production starting as early as 2026, depending on the success of ongoing operations and permitting processes. BEST MOMENTS "The value of helium is around 100 times that of natural gas. It's a very high value product, and the potential returns on these projects could be phenomenal." "We started looking at projects in Africa, but when this opportunity came up in the States, it was just a no brainer. It was a project that was so good, you couldn't miss it." "The biggest consumer in the world of helium is actually the United States. They have a big space program and a big healthcare industry, making local supply crucial." "We're looking at a range of CapEx around 10 to 50 million. Given the relative modest amounts of money involved, I don't expect enormous problems with that." 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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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  X > https://x.com/pulsarhelium LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/company/pulsar-helium-inc YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHGkYuAePJw $PLSR Insights > https://pulsarhelium.com/Community/PLSR-Insights/default.aspx https://www.pulsarhelium.com/overview/default.aspx [email protected] 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 Michael Townsend, Director of Magma Silver, who are a Canadian precious metals exploration company focused on developing the high-sulfidation Ninobamba and Jeromina silver and gold project in Peru. Michael has extensive experience in corporate finance spanning over 30 years in Capital Markets and is one of the founding partners of Altus Capital Partners, a boutique investment bank based in Vancouver, Canada. He gives us an overview of Magma Silver, how to source and what makes a good deal, the current climate, and what the future holds for junior exploration. KEY TAKEAWAYS Magma Silver, initially focused on cobalt exploration, has pivoted to developing the Ninobamba and Jeromina silver and gold projects in Peru, with plans to drill and confirm existing mineralization while establishing community agreements. A strong reputation for integrity and follow-through in the industry has led to a high volume of deal flow, allowing for selective investment in promising projects. This reputation is crucial for attracting opportunities and maintaining relationships. Current macroeconomic conditions favour commodities like silver and gold, with silver recently breaking out against gold. The exploration sector is expected to see a resurgence as public interest and investment return to the industry. The company aims to increase its market valuation by proving the substantial mineral resources in the ground, with plans for further drilling and potential acquisition of additional projects, particularly in favourable jurisdictions like Mexico. BEST MOMENTS "We have a community agreement on the Jeromina. We need to get on the ground and make a community agreement with the Ninobamba community. And that's probably the most important piece." "I think a revaluation is what happens. You say, well, that company's got to be worth a lot more than $6.5 million Canadian." "I do believe that all the best projects or most of the best projects in the world are already in a company, already in another junior explorer or major for that matter." "Silver has been to $50 twice... but when it moves, it really moves." 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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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  Contact: Michael Townsend [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-townsend-062253158/ Website: www.magmasilver.com https://www.instagram.com/magmasilver/ https://x.com/MagmaSilverCorp https://www.linkedin.com/company/magma-silver/ 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 Ali Haji, CEO of American Tungsten Ltd, a listed Canadian exploration company focused on advancing high-grade magnetite mineral properties with its flagship asset, the IMA Mine Project in Idaho. Ali has over 20 years in metals and mining, investment management, and publicly-listed capital markets experience, where he has served a variety of senior leadership roles within the mining industry. Ali discusses the background to American Tungsten, why it's important in today’s industrial and technological landscape, US funding and regulatory controls, and what the company is looking to achieve in the long term KEY TAKEAWAYS The company is primarily focused on the IMA Mine Project in Idaho, which is a past producer of tungsten and aims to bring production back online within 18 months. The mine has a significant historical resource and is located in a strong mining jurisdiction. Tungsten is a critical metal used in various military and industrial applications, including armour, ammunition, aerospace components, and microchips. Its high melting point and strength make it essential in many technologies, highlighting the need for domestic production. The current U.S. administration prioritises critical minerals, including tungsten, which has led to potential benefits for American Tungsten, such as fast-tracked permitting and access to grants and low-interest loans to support production efforts. The leadership team includes individuals with extensive experience in the mining sector and government funding, which positions American Tungsten favourably to navigate regulatory processes and secure necessary funding for development. Key upcoming events for American Tungsten include the release of a 43-101 resource statement, exploration drilling, and a bulk sample to assess metallurgy. These developments are expected to enhance the company's resource profile and expedite the path to production. BEST MOMENTS "Tungsten is the second hardest element on the periodic table, used to strengthen alloys and has a very high melting point at 2500 degrees centigrade." "We believe that at IMA, we can be the fastest to bring tungsten production back online in North America." "The goal is to bring back a lot of the production that was mothballed in 2015 when the Chinese flooded the market with cheap tungsten." "Our path to production is quicker than anybody else in the space. Our resource is well defined with the expectation for it to grow." 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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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://americantungstencorp.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/americantungstencorp/ https://www.youtube.com/@americantungstencorp https://www.facebook.com/americantungstencorp/ https://www.instagram.com/americantungstencorp https://x.com/amtungsten 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 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 Rulikha and Talovskoye, while continuing to refine its resource model for Verkhuba. 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:        [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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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 [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 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. Rua 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: Rua 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:        [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: Insurance risk surveys recognised as an industry standard Construction risk reviews Asset 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: [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.  This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/