Dig Deep

Reprocessing Chile’s Legacy with Halo Minerals

In this episode, we chat with Andy Dennan, CEO of Halo Minerals to explore the story behind their Playa Verde copper project in Chile and what sets it apart in today’s evolving mining landscape. We start with an overview of Halo Minerals and what drew the team to Playa Verde, before diving into why this tailings project could represent a more sustainable approach to copper development. Andy shares insights on the environmental advantages, as well as the key challenges the project faces as it moves forward. We also discuss the growing importance of copper in the global energy transition, and how projects like Playa Verde fit into the broader conversation around critical minerals, supply chains, and resource security. Finally, we touch on Chile’s role as a mining jurisdiction, common pitfalls around permitting and community engagement, Halo’s recent IPO in London, and what success looks like for the next 12 months. KEY TAKEAWAYS Halo Minerals focuses on ESG metals by reprocessing surface-accumulated legacy mining waste, effectively turning environmental liabilities into critical resource assets. Beyond copper recovery, the Playa Verde project includes a commitment to reduce arsenic concentrations to 47 parts per million or less, eventually returning the beach to the local community for recreational use. With copper demand driven by AI data centres, renewable energy, and EVs, projects in stable jurisdictions like Chile are becoming essential for global supply chain security. By processing pre-crushed tailings at the surface rather than traditional hard-rock mining, the project avoids the high energy costs, blasting, and long lead times associated with greenfield developments. BEST MOMENTS "It feels a lot less lonely being in the mining industry than the oil and gas industry... in the wake of that sort of ESG movement, people were really focused on the footprint globally of these heavy industries." "We get to make money while doing good for the world or operating with a lower environmental footprint than new greenfield mines." "We’re sort of one supply disruption away from $20,000 a ton copper price." "The value of a copper deposit today is more weighted by where it is and who it can be sold to without a 50% penalty... jurisdictions with free trade agreements with the US, like Chile, have become the most valuable real estate in the mining world." GUEST RESOURCES https://halominerals.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/halominerals/ https://x.com/HaloMinerals 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/

Egypt’s Golden Horizon: Modern Exploration at Wadi Dara

In this episode, we chat with Mostafa Taalat, CEO of Ankh Resources, a company gaining attention for its exploration success at the Wadi Dara project in Egypt. With recent drilling and trenching delivering encouraging gold-copper results, Ankh Resources is positioning itself at the forefront of Egypt’s re-emerging mining sector. Mostafa brings extensive experience in the region, combining strong technical expertise with a clear vision for building a modern exploration company. In this conversation, we’ll explore the potential of Wadi Dara, the broader opportunity in Egypt, and how exploration companies like Ankh are navigating the path from discovery to development. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ankh Resources is leveraging a homegrown expert team to navigate Egypt’s new mining code and accelerate the transition from discovery to development. The Wadi Dara project has yielded significant high-grade gold and copper results, including a recent drill hole showing 102 meters of continuous mineralization. Egypt’s strategic location and established oil and gas infrastructure provide unique logistical advantages, such as the 7-to-7 to Dara accessibility from Cairo. The Egyptian government is actively working to increase the mining sector's contribution to the GDP from 1% to 5% through improved fiscal terms and international promotion. BEST MOMENTS "I was lucky to join the industry at that exciting time for Egypt's first gold mining history... in the modern history." "We are lucky that so far our drill rate success is like almost 100%... the results are bringing back better than what we expect them to find." "Egypt offers a North Africa stable region with a fresh mining code built for attracting investments and serious mining investors." "You can’t complete the AI technology required, you can’t go into the green energy transformation required, all this without having enough copper supply." GUEST RESOURCES https://ankhresources.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ankhresourcesltd/ https://x.com/Project_Ankh 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/

Digging Into Gold: Strategy and Success at Cuiú Cuiú

In this episode, we chat with Alan Carter, CEO of Cabral Gold, to discuss the company’s flagship Cuiu Cuiu gold project in Brazil and the strategy driving its development. With a strong background in geology and extensive experience operating in Brazil, Alan brings deep insight into both the technical and commercial aspects of advancing gold projects in the region. In this conversation, we’ll cover Cabral’s two-stage development approach, what differentiates Cuiu Cuiu from other gold projects, and the recent share price momentum. We’ll also explore why Alan believes Cabral represents a compelling investment opportunity at current levels, and what investors can expect in terms of upcoming news flow and key catalysts over the months ahead. KEY TAKEAWAYS Cabral Gold is implementing a unique two-stage approach at Cuiú Cuiú. Phase 1 focuses on mining the weathered saprolitic soil (mud) layer, Because the initial phase targets soft mud material, it eliminates the need for expensive drilling, blasting, or crushing. Mother Nature has effectively pre-processed the rock over millions of years Cuiú Cuiú is located in the Tapajós region, home to one of the world's largest historical gold rushes. The project has a vast footprint with a 7km gold-in-soil anomaly The project recently yielded one of the most impressive drill holes in the industry. Remarkably, this discovery was made 3km away from the nearest known gold deposit, highlighting the district-scale potential. BEST MOMENTS "We want to get off that what I call hamster wheel [of share dilution] and start self-funding all of our exploration work going forward." "We're not crushing and grinding rock because Mother Nature's done all the work for us over a millions of years." "The gold rush that happened in the Tapajós in the 1980s was ten times larger than the California Gold Rush." "I've put $2 million of my own money into the company... so I am very, very heavily invested. I'm aligned with my shareholders and we’re on a mission." GUEST RESOURCES https://cabralgold.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/cabral-gold/ 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/

What Makes Candidates Stand Out in Mining? | Advice from Industry HR Leaders (Part 1)

In this special series (Part 1 of 3) around HR and recruitment, we bring together three experienced HR leaders from across the global mining industry: Leanne Holmes, Head of People at Central Asia Metals, Paul Eagle, Vice President People & Culture at Evolution Mining, and Bridget Hunter, Group Manager Shared Services at Ivanhoe Mines. Together, they share practical perspectives on recruitment, careers, and what it takes to stand out as a candidate in today’s mining industry. Drawing on experience across operational and corporate environments, they highlight common mistakes candidates make, from generic CVs to lack of preparation and a limited understanding of mining’s unique challenges. The conversation also explores what differentiates strong candidates, including tailoring applications, demonstrating outcomes over activities, and showing genuine curiosity in interviews. Whether you're already in mining or looking to transition into the sector, this episode offers clear, actionable advice to help you better understand employer expectations and position yourself more effectively. KEY TAKEAWAYS Generic CVs are a major red flag; candidates must specifically link their skills and achievements to the unique operational context and safety requirements of the mining industry. Successful candidates demonstrate deep curiosity by researching the company's specific operations, recent financial results, and regional challenges before the interview. HR managers are more impressed by candidates who can articulate the tangible business benefits and results of their work rather than just listing daily tasks. In the high-stakes, collaborative environment of a mine site, a candidate’s alignment with core values (like safety, respect, and accountability) is often considered more important than pure technical competence. BEST MOMENTS "A CV is probably only 10% of the recruitment process... It should be a snapshot of a profile of yourself to get you that interview." "Mining is a very specific industry with unique challenges, and generic CVs don't really tell us how someone's experience relates to what we do."  "I think what impresses me most is when candidates don't just share successes, but they also talk about challenges, what they learned, and how they grew from that experience." "Understand the basics of mining—the life cycle of a project and the safety and environmental considerations—then make it clear how your skills can transfer." GUEST RESOURCES Paul Eagle: paul.eagle@evolutionmining.com https://au.linkedin.com/in/paul-eagle-80128740 Leanne Holmes: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/holmesleanne Bridget Hunter: https://za.linkedin.com/in/bridget-hunter-3a000230 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/

Building a North American Aluminum Powerhouse: Chris Hopkins on the Thor Project

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/