What if the solution to the global copper shortage has been right under our noses for billions of years? In this episode of On the Rocks Masterclass, we explore the fascinating world of biomining with Liz Dennett, Founder & CEO of Endolith, who's harnessing Earth's oldest miners – microbes – to revolutionize copper extraction. Liz's journey from NASA astrobiology research to founding a biotech mining company is as unique as her approach to solving one of mining's biggest challenges. With cop...
Jul 01, 2025•42 min•Season 6Ep. 92
What if we could take the guesswork out of mineral exploration? In this episode of On the Rocks Masterclass, we dive deep into how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we discover and evaluate mineral deposits with John Mern, CEO & Co-Founder of TerraAI, and Luke Ren, Chief of Staff. This masterclass offers practical insights for exploration teams, investors, and anyone interested in how technology is transforming one of mining's most challenging and expensive activities. Wheth...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 91
In this masterclass episode of On the Rocks, Emily King sits down with Anastasia Kuskova, CEO and founder of beSirius, to explore how mining companies can transform sustainability from compliance paperwork to strategic advantage. Drawing from her experience as a former sustainability officer at a multibillion-dollar metal producer, Anastasia breaks down the fundamental challenges in sustainability reporting, the connection between ESG performance and financial results, and how AI-powered tools a...
May 15, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 90
In this masterclass episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King sits down with Samuel Siebenaler, co-founder and CEO of Precision Mineral Accounting, to demystify the complex world of mining royalties. With 20 years of industry experience, including a decade overseeing royalty accounting at Newmont Mining, Sam breaks down what royalties actually are, how they differ from streaming deals, and the critical contract elements that impact payments. From commingling issues to auditing challenges, this ep...
May 01, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 89
In this special live episode recorded at the Women in Mining USA 2025 annual event in San Antonio, host Emily King sits down with Ashley Zumwalt-Forbes, a pioneering engineer and investor who has helped deploy over $6 billion in private capital into America's battery supply chain. Ashley shares insider perspectives from her time as US Deputy Director for Batteries and Critical Minerals, discussing the challenging realities of competing with non-market actors like China in critical mineral market...
Apr 22, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 89
What does it really take to plan a modern mine? In this masterclass episode, host Emily King sits down with Kevin McCoy, Planning Superintendent at South32's Hermosa project, to unpack the complex world of mine planning. From integrating community feedback to leveraging cutting-edge technology, discover how today's mine planners balance technical requirements with environmental and social considerations. Drawing from his decade-plus experience across coal and hard rock mining, Kevin shares pract...
Mar 13, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 88
In this thought-provoking episode of our On the Rocks Masterclass series, host Emily King sits down with Benjamin Cox, a maverick educator and expert in natural capital valuation, to challenge conventional thinking about mining operations. From water usage to tailings management, discover how reframing our approach to mining assets could unlock billions in value while improving environmental outcomes. Benjamin, Program Director of the Executive Microcertificate in Economic Leadership for Mining ...
Feb 27, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 87
In this episode of our On the Rocks Masterclass series, host Emily King sits down with strategic communications expert Briana Clark to explore how effective communication can be a crucial tool for risk management in the mining industry. From early-stage exploration to community engagement, learn why communication isn't just about marketing – it's about creating sustainable relationships and managing long-term project risk. Briana, founder of Holbrook & Associates, breaks down the key differe...
Feb 13, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 86
Ever wondered about the chemistry behind your favorite bourbon? In this special kickoff to our On the Rocks Masterclass series, host Emily King sits down with renowned spirits expert John "Fitzy" Fitzpatrick to explore the science of whiskey making. From the geological importance of limestone-filtered water to the chemical reactions in charred oak barrels, discover how elements and processes familiar to the mining industry play a crucial role in crafting the perfect spirit. Learn about the terro...
Feb 06, 2025•27 min•Season 6Ep. 85
Women are projected to hold 50% of Canada's wealth by 2030 - so why aren't they investing in mining? In this episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King sits down with Beth Borody, Founder & CEO of the Femina Collective and Mining Sector Lead for IRMA, to explore how women are disrupting traditional mining investment. From the origin story of the Femina Collective during pandemic Zoom calls to the launch of their groundbreaking investment club in 2025, Beth shares her vision for transforming th...
Dec 19, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 84
What happens to a mine site after closure? From underground canoe adventures to innovative water treatment facilities, the possibilities are endless! In this episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King sits down with Dr. Peter Whitbread-Abrutat, founder of Future Terrains International and co-author of "102 Things to Do with a Hole in the Ground," to explore creative approaches to mine reclamation worldwide. Pete shares fascinating stories from his three decades of experience transforming former mi...
Dec 05, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 83
Is mining in space still just science fiction? Not according to Jose Acain, Co-Founder and CTO of Astroforge! In this fascinating episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King sits down with Jose to explore how Astroforge is working to make asteroid mining a reality. Drawing from his impressive background at SpaceX and NASA, Jose breaks down the technical challenges of mining in space, explains their innovative approach to resource extraction, and shares his vision for the future of off-world mining....
Nov 14, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 82
We usually talk about mining with a side of bourbon, but in this episode of On the Rocks we are starting with the brown liquor! This week, host Emily King sits down with Louis Buck, SVP of Public Affairs at 3 Rivers Energy Partners, to explore the innovative intersection of bourbon production and renewable energy. Discover how waste from iconic distilleries like Jack Daniels and Jim Beam is being transformed into renewable natural gas and fertilizer, creating a circular economy that benefits bot...
Oct 31, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 81
In this eye-opening episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King sits down with Jennifer Hibbert, Senior Solutions Engineer at DTN, to explore the critical intersection of weather and mining. From unpredictable lightning strikes to extreme climate events, Jennifer reveals how advanced weather monitoring systems are revolutionizing mine safety and efficiency. Discover the challenges of communicating weather risks effectively, the impact of climate change on mining operations, and the cutting-edge tec...
Oct 17, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 80
Join Emily King as she sits down with Elizabeth Freele, managing partner of Sympact and co-founder of the Responsible Mining Academy, to explore the evolving landscape of ESG in the mining industry. Elizabeth shares her journey from corporate social responsibility to ESG, discussing the challenges and opportunities in implementing sustainable practices. Learn about the Responsible Mining Academy's innovative approach to ESG education and how it's bridging the knowledge gap in the industry. Don't...
Sep 19, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 79
In this eye-opening episode, Emily King is joined by Bram Govaerts (CIMMYT) and Loren Stoddard (USAID) to discuss the launch of the Bedrock Alliance. This initiative aims to mobilize the mining industry's vast resources and capabilities to address global humanitarian crises, with an immediate focus on the dire situation in Sudan. Learn about the unprecedented food security crisis, the importance of conflict-resistant agriculture, and how the mining sector can contribute to long-term solutions in...
Aug 08, 2024•56 min•Season 4Ep. 78
In this 'On the Rocks Selects' episode, we dive back into the world of deep sea mining with The Metals Company. We start with a fresh update from a recent webinar featuring our host Emily King and TMC's CFO Craig Shesky, exploring the latest developments in the industry. Then, we revisit our fascinating September 2022 conversation with TMC's CEO Gerard Barron, where we explored the history, technology, and potential of deep sea mining. This episode offers a unique perspective on how the industry...
Jun 27, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 77
To round up our May Mental Health Month, host Emily King was joined by Dr. Haydon Mort and Peggy Bell to talk about Neurodivergence in the mining industry! What is it, how can your team embrace this "different" thinking style, and more! Haydon and Peggy share personal stories and insights, as well as give tips and tricks for incorporating neurodivergent inclusivity into your team. Be sure to follow us on social media to stay tuned for the next Monthly Mining Roundup, and join us live!...
Jun 11, 2024•57 min•Season 4Ep. 76
In this episode of the On the Rocks Podcast by Prospector, host Emily King sits down with Alex Michshenko, CEO of Trident Maor, for a deep dive into the world of uranium. As they reflect on the historical origins of uranium mining in the US and its subsequent decline, they uncover the complex web of factors contributing to its resurgence in the present day. From geopolitical tensions to supply chain vulnerabilities, they explore the challenges facing the uranium industry and discuss potential so...
May 09, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 75
This episode mentions many trigger topics surrounding mental health. Please note this when considering when and how you listen. Join Emily King and guest Hazel Duffy, founder of EnjoyYourMine, as they delve into the crucial topic of mental health and wellbeing in the global mining industry. May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States, so Hazel shares insights into the unique challenges faced by on-site workers and the innovative solutions provided by EnjoyYourMine. From fostering s...
Apr 25, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 74
Join Emily King and guest Jon Mortensen, Global Chief Technology Officer for Enterprise Asset Management for IFS , as they explore the intersection of technology and the mining industry. From discussing the crucial role of software solutions in asset management to addressing sustainability challenges, delve into how innovation is reshaping mining operations worldwide.
Apr 18, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 73
In this episode of On the Rocks, we catch up again with Tara Christie, President and CEO of Banyan Gold Corp. Emily and Tara delve into the current state of gold prices, market dynamics, and the challenges and opportunities facing junior exploration companies. From analyzing the surge in gold prices to discussing strategies for effective capital management, they provide valuable insights drawn from their experience in the mining industry. The conversation also explores the importance of innovati...
Apr 11, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 72
In this episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King is joined by Dr. Steven Schafrik, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky, where he intersects the worlds of mining engineering and bourbon production. Digging into the unexpected synergy between these two fields, Dr. Schafrik shares how mining technologies are being applied to solve unique challenges within the bourbon industry, such as warehouse corrosion and maturation processes. This episode not only uncovers the scientific crosso...
Mar 28, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 71
In this episode of On the Rocks, host Emily King welcomes Ira Gostin, a seasoned professional in investor relations and capital markets strategy. Gostin delves into his background in marketing and communications, emphasizing the crucial role of storytelling in connecting mining companies with investors. He discusses the impact of the "Robinhood Era" on retail investment, the significance of understanding audience demographics, and the necessity for mining companies to adapt their communication s...
Mar 14, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 70
In this transformative episode of the On the Rocks Podcast, hosted by Emily King and sponsored by KPI Mining, experts Benny Cohen, Matheus Faria, and Giovanni Santos dive deep into the world of mining optimization through the lens of stochastic mine planning. They shed light on how traditional challenges of uncertainty in mining operations can be mitigated by embracing stochastic optimization techniques, originally honed in the oil and gas industry. The discussion explores the significant impact...
Feb 29, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 69
In this enlightening episode of the On the Rocks Podcast, host Emily King chats with Ernest Scheyder, a senior correspondent at Reuters and author of "The War Below: Lithium, copper, and the global battle to power our lives". Scheyder delves into the critical minerals like lithium and copper that underpin the green energy transition. The discussion unfolds the complexities surrounding mining projects, the environmental and indigenous rights considerations, and the geopolitical chess game of mine...
Feb 22, 2024•56 min•Season 4Ep. 68
This week on On the Rocks, host Emily King chats with Julia Souder, the CEO of LDES Council! Tune in for the full episode!
Jan 18, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 67
The mining industry faced significant challenges in 2023 – fluctuating commodity prices, permitting delays, geopolitical uncertainties. As 2024 begins, inflationary pressures and market volatility persist even as demand rises for minerals essential to the global energy transition. In a recent panel featuring experts from Prospector and VRIFY , financing trends impacting mining took center stage. While rising costs strain margins industry-wide, promising signals appear on metals integral for clea...
Jan 04, 2024•58 min•Season 4Ep. 66
In this episode, host Emily King explores responsible mining practices through a compelling discussion with Aimee Boulanger, the executive director of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA). They trace IRMA’s origins in early multi-stakeholder collaboration efforts beginning around 2006, discuss why credible independent assurance processes matter, and outline the organization’s innovative standards-based approach centered on feasible best practices, continuous improvement pathway...
Dec 21, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 65
The mining industry is full of great people from around the globe with different jobs, ideas, and backgrounds. At Prospector, we pride ourselves on helping shine light on many different aspects and opportunities of the industry, and highlighting those that think outside the box. National Miners Day is recognized each year on December 6th, in an effort to celebrate, recognize and applaud the skill, dedication and hard work miners put into providing many of the products essential to fulfilling Ame...
Dec 06, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 64
