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Exploration Radio

77 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratings

Welcome to Exploration Radio, a podcast focusing on the past, present and future of exploration. Featuring interviews and discussions with explorers about the challenges they have faced, what we stand to learn from them and how we can better prepare for the future. Ultimately these are stories about exploration...and the people, places and issues prevalent within it. Come join us and let's explore.

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Episodes

#68 - The BHP Xplor Program with Sonia Scarselli

January 25, 2023 15:14 - 1 hour - 55.6 MB

On this episode, we are joined by Sonia Scarselli, VP of BHP Xplor, a programme initiated by BHP that is dedicated to accelerating innovative, early-stage mineral exploration start-ups to find the critical resources necessary to drive the energy transition. The BHP Explor Program is searching around the globe for the next generation of explorers that are ready to think about the earth’s minerals systems differently to unlock copper, nickel, and other critical mineral deposits. Let's ex...

#67 - Defining Discovery with Scott Briscoe (Part 2)

January 20, 2023 06:24 - 1 hour - 90.6 MB

On this episode, we are joined again by Scott Briscoe, for part 2 of our discussion where we try to understand what constitutes a discovery in mineral exploration. Join us and let's explore.

#66 - Defining Discovery with Scott Briscoe (Part 1)

January 11, 2023 19:16 - 1 hour - 55.2 MB

How is something so fundamental to mineral exploration like the nature of what constitutes a discovery can have such a poorly accepted industry-wide definition? Maybe it is like the old adage, if you do not know which port you are sailing to, then no wind is favourable. If everyone can define discovery, then does that mean no one can define discovery? On this episode, we are joined by Scott Briscoe, and we try to understand what constitutes a discovery in mineral exploration Let's ex...

#65 - Ideas That Must (Part 6)

December 31, 2022 14:52 - 38 minutes - 32.3 MB

At the end of our interviews, Steve and Ahmad always ask the guests two questions: what is something they think needs to live or be maintained in the mining industry at all costs; and what is something that needs to die or be jettisoned out of our industry? We thought it would be interesting to put together some of the responses we have received to those questions over the past year. So on this episode of Ideas that Must Die and Live in Mining, we are joined by, Mike Porter, Evren Pakyuz...

#64 - Ideas That Must (Part 5)

December 30, 2022 23:26 - 1 hour - 60.5 MB

At the end of our interviews, Steve and Ahmad always ask the guests two questions: what is something they think needs to live or be maintained in the mining industry at all costs; and what is something that needs to die or be jettisoned out of our industry? We thought it would be interesting to put together some of the responses we have received to those questions over the past year. So on this episode of Ideas that Must Die and Live in Mining, we are joined by, Dave Lawie, Francois Robe...

#63 - Ideas That Must (Part 4)

December 29, 2022 04:38 - 1 hour - 66.1 MB

At the end of our interviews, Steve and Ahmad always ask the guests two questions: what is something they think needs to live or be maintained in the mining industry at all costs; and what is something that needs to die or be jettisoned out of our industry? We thought it would be interesting to put together some of the responses we have received to those questions over the past year. So on this episode of Ideas that Must Die and Live in Mining, we are joined by, Eira Thomas, Chuck Fipke, T...

#62 - There is more to Streaming than just Netflix with Shaun Usmar

December 16, 2022 04:36 - 1 hour - 47.5 MB

The last decade has seen an explosion of a new type of company in the mining space: royalty companies. Royalties are nothing new to mining, they have been around for a long time. Recently, royalty companies have been innovating by getting into streaming - just like everyone else, I guess. For a deeper understanding of royalties and streaming, our guest on this episode is Shaun Usmar, who in 2016 started Triple Flag Precious Metals, a royalty and streaming company. We talked to him abou...

#62 - There is more to Streaming than just Netflix and Chill with Shaun Usmar

December 16, 2022 04:36 - 1 hour - 47.5 MB

The last decade has seen an explosion of a new type of company in the mining space: royalty companies. Royalties are nothing new to mining, they have been around for a long time. Recently, royalty companies have been innovating by getting into streaming - just like everyone else, I guess. For a deeper understanding of royalties and streaming, our guest on this episode is Shaun Usmar, who in 2016 started Triple Flag Precious Metals, a royalty and streaming company. We talked to him abou...

#61 - When It All Goes Wrong With Tim Foden

December 12, 2022 23:40 - 1 hour - 54.1 MB

When we consider mining projects in arbitration, we often consider jurisdictions in Africa and Central and South America. But increasingly, projects in developed countries are following a similar path for other reasons - like community objection, or environmental concerns, or permitting delays. Sometimes you just need a lawyer in your corner to help you through these situations. You better hope it is not too late… Our guest on this episode is Tim Foden, a partner at Boise Schiller Flex...

#60 - We All Want Agency with Evren Pakyuz-Charrier

December 01, 2022 18:04 - 1 hour - 55.4 MB

Our guest today is Evren Pakyuz-Charrier, Lead Geologist at Oslandia, a company specialising in developing open-source GIS software. Evren is looking to create bespoke open-source GIS solutions for the exploration and mining industry through QGIS, the most prominent open-source GIS software platform. If you are a user of QGIS, you might want to listen to what Evren and Oslandia can do for you. Let's explore.

#59 - Around the World in 80 Projects with Mike Porter

November 03, 2022 03:38 - 51 minutes - 48.8 MB

For decades, Mike Porter ran a business where he took people worldwide to various mine sites and deposits. These tours were open to anyone; somehow, Mike managed to navigate the red tape and get onto every mine site. That was the magic of the Porter Geo International Study Tours. Let's explore.

#58 - That Time We Gave A Talk at SEG 2022

October 18, 2022 15:00 - 35 minutes - 34.8 MB

In this episode, Ahmad and Steve give a talk at SEG 2022. Let's explore. 

#57 - Standing on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean

October 11, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 51.7 MB

In this episode, our guests are Matthew Pearson and Dr Gerrit Olivier from Fleet Space. We have always had a desire to explore our planet. Our history is rich with explorers that did just that. The next chapter in the Exploration of Earth might involve doing it from space. Fleet Space is trying to create technology to do just that. Let's explore.

#56 - The Future of Resources with Angel Abbud-Madrid

July 11, 2022 12:29 - 45 minutes - 45.1 MB

In this episode, our guest is Angel Abbud-Madrid. Angel is the Director of the Center for Space Resources at the Colorado School of Mines, where he leads a research program focused on the human and robotic exploration of space and the utilisation of its resources.  He is also the Director of the Space Resources Graduate Program, aimed to educate scientists, engineers, economists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers in the field of extraterrestrial resources. Angel has more than 30 years of e...

#55 - Building Better Satellites with Andy Koronios

June 28, 2022 03:34 - 55 minutes - 49.2 MB

In this episode, our guest is Professor Andy Koronios. Andy is CEO & Managing Director of the SmartSat CRC. Andy is a professor of information systems and previously held the positions of Dean: Industry & Enterprise and Head of the School of Information Technology & Mathematical Sciences, at the University of South Australia. Andy has recently led a bid to establish a space industry-focused Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) aimed at catapulting Australia into the global space industry t...

#54 - Coaching Culture with Paul Roos

June 16, 2022 10:29 - 1 hour - 79 MB

In this episode, our guest is Paul Roos. Paul is an AFL or Australian Rules Football icon. He played for 17 years for the Fitzroy and Sydney Football clubs. In his prime, Paul was rated as the best footballer in Australia and has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. After finishing his playing career, Paul became a successful coach. He first became the head coach of the Sydney Swans and then the Melbourne Football Club. His consulting company, Performance by Design, h...

#53 - Amalgamated Aardvarks Being Funded by Hope and Narrative with Rick Rule

April 06, 2022 01:35 - 1 hour - 74.3 MB

In this episode, our guest is Arthur Richards “Rick” Rule IV, better known as Rick Rule. He needs no introduction. If you don't know who Rick is, Google him. There's a good chance Google was invented purely for searching for Rick Rule and his many achievements. Furthermore, if you want to know what Amalgamated Aardvarks are, you won't find that through Google. You will just have to listen to the episode. Let’s explore.

#52 - Dealing For Decades With Francois Robert And Rob Krcmarov

February 22, 2022 02:41 - 59 minutes - 41 MB

In early 2002, Barrick Gold decides to merge with another company, Homestake Mining, to create one of the largest Gold companies in the world. A young French Canadian geologist (do not hold that against him) working for Barrick in Nevada is asked to pack his bags and move to Australia, to take up a vacant Chief Geologist position for this combined company. At the same time, a young Australian geologist from Adelaide South Australia (do not hold that against him) was working for Homestake a...

#51 - Building An Icon With Dave Lawie (Part 2)

February 10, 2022 03:27 - 52 minutes - 51.8 MB

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dave Lawie, who is the Chief Geoscientist and Technologist at IMDEX limited. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. Let's explore.

#50 - Building An Icon With Dave Lawie (Part 1)

February 08, 2022 12:00 - 55 minutes - 57.7 MB

On this week's episode, Steve and Ahmad got the chance to sit down with Dave Lawie, who is the Chief Geoscientist and Technologist at IMDEX limited. Dave was one of the first people we wanted to talk to on this show, so it seems fitting that he joins us for the 50th episode. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. Let's explore.

#49 - The Agate Project with Mark Jessell and Nicolas Thebaud

December 16, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 57.7 MB

In 2006, researchers from the Institute de Recherche pour le Developpment or the Institute of Research for Development in Toulouse, founded a research project in West Africa called the West African Exploration Initiative or WAXI. In this episode, we are joined by Mark Jessell and Nicolas Thebaud, who have been involved in the WAXI project from nearly the beginning and are now two of the people behind the Agate Project. Let's explore.

#48 - Cheese, Crackers and the Discovery of Gruyère

October 28, 2021 00:35 - 1 hour - 85.5 MB

In this episode, we are joined by Kyle Prentice and Justin Osborne who take us through their involvement in the discovery of the Gruyere deposit.  Let's explore.

#47 - Rethinking our Narrative with Peter Betts

October 13, 2021 07:50 - 1 hour - 66.5 MB

The story of Laurentian university closing is a sad one, and there are many reasons why that happened. But one reason suggested by many is the financial pressure that COVID has caused on universities. In Australia, a number of universities decided to stop their support for geology programs. As a country that relies a lot on mining, this seemed to be a short-sighted decision. COVID has undoubtedly accelerated the closure of many geology departments. Today we are joined by Pete Betts from ...

#46 - Being Brave With Aaron Schutt

October 03, 2021 22:57 - 52 minutes - 46.3 MB

“The River ran through the lives of our grandparents; it runs through our lives; it will run through the lives of our grandchildren. A dynamic force masked by a static constancy, the River will speak to those who listen — our land speaks.” The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) became law in 1971 and with that, it conveyed more than 45 million acres of land to village and regional corporations in Alaska. One of these corporations was Doyon Limited, an entity that today is a multi-...

#45 - Keep the Risk in the Rock with Tony Reda

September 08, 2021 23:17 - 1 hour - 53 MB

In this episode, we speak to Tony Reda from Tectonic Metals. Tony is trying to create a company where the non-technical opportunities or risks are just as critical a pillar in the company as identifying the technical opportunities present. They are trying to do the right thing as early as possible. Tony joined us today from his home in British Columbia to talk about what challenges he faces in trying to create such a company.

#44 - Exploring Barren Lands With Chuck Fipke

August 25, 2021 08:31 - 1 hour - 150 MB

The early 90s marked one of the biggest staking rushes in Northwest Territories in northern Canada. A hundred years earlier, people had come pouring into the Canadian north looking for gold. This time around, they were looking for something else... diamonds. At the centre of this new rush was Chuck Fipke and Dia Met Minerals. On this episode of Exploration Radio, let's find out more about Chuck Fipke and his lifelong desire to be an explorer.

#43 A Diamond in the Rough with Eira Thomas (Part 2)

August 05, 2021 23:59 - 46.6 MB

Eira Thomas started her career as an exploration geologist when she was part of the team that discovered what became the Diavik Diamond mine, Canada's second major diamond discovery and arguably one of the richest diamond mines in the world. In this episode, we continue our discussion with Eira. We find out what she sees as the future of the diamond industry, particularly in a world where sustainability and corporate social responsibility are playing an increasing important part.

#43 - A Diamond in the Rough with Eira Thomas (Part 2)

August 05, 2021 23:59 - 58 minutes - 46.6 MB

Eira Thomas started her career as an exploration geologist when she was part of the team that discovered what became the Diavik Diamond mine, Canada's second major diamond discovery and arguably one of the richest diamond mines in the world. In this episode, we continue our discussion with Eira. We find out what she sees as the future of the diamond industry, particularly in a world where sustainability and corporate social responsibility are playing an increasing important part.

#42 - A Diamond in the Rough with Eira Thomas (Part 1)

July 30, 2021 06:38 - 1 hour - 155 MB

In 1991, a then 20-something year old Eira Thomas set off to explore for diamonds in the Canadian North. This led to her being involved in the discovery of what was to become the Diavik Diamond mine - Canada’s second major diamond discovery and arguably one of the worlds richest diamond mines. Some 30 years later, Eira is still involved in the industry - nowadays she is the CEO of Lucara Diamond Company. Eira was kind enough to sit down with me and share some of her recollections of the Cana...

#41 - Ideas That Must (Part 3)

July 27, 2021 03:30 - 11 minutes - 25.6 MB

At the end of all of our interviews, Steve and I always ask our guests two questions: what is something they think that needs to live or be maintained in the mining industry at all costs; and what is something that needs to die or be jettisoned out of our industry? We thought it would be interesting to put together some of these responses we have received to those questions over the years. So on this episode of Ideas that Must Die and Live in Mining, we are joined by, Justin Strharsky, Mic...

#40 - Ideas That Must (Part 2)

July 20, 2021 22:08 - 9 minutes - 22.2 MB

At the end of all of our interviews, Steve and I always ask our guests two questions: what is something they think that needs to live and what is something that needs to die in the mining industry? We thought it would be interesting to put together some of these responses we have received to those questions over the years. So on this episode of Ideas That Must, we are joined by, in order, Mark Bennett, Attila Pentek, Richard Scott, Holly Bridgwater, Mark Bennett (again), Marcus Lake, Michell...

#40 - Ideas That Must (part 2)

July 20, 2021 22:08 - 22.2 MB

At the end of all of our interviews, Steve and I always ask our guests two questions: what is something they think that needs to live and what is something that needs to die in the mining industry? We thought it would be interesting to put together some of these responses we have received to those questions over the years. So on this episode of Ideas That Must, we are joined by, in order, Mark Bennett, Attila Pentek, Richard Scott, Holly Bridgwater, Mark Bennett (again), Marcus Lake, Michell...

#39 - Ideas That Must… (Part 1)

July 15, 2021 09:06 - 17.2 MB

At the end of all of our interviews, Steve and I always ask our guests two questions: what is something they think that needs to live and what is something that needs to die in the mining industry? We thought it would be interesting to put together some of these responses we have received to those questions over the years. So on this episode of Ideas That Must Die in Mining, we are joined by, in order: Jon Goodman, Attila Pentek, Jon Hronsky, Tony Manini, Hedley Widdup and Mary Poulton. Lets...

#39 - Ideas That Must (Part 1)

July 15, 2021 09:06 - 7 minutes - 17.2 MB

At the end of all of our interviews, Steve and I always ask our guests two questions: what is something they think that needs to live and what is something that needs to die in the mining industry? We thought it would be interesting to put together some of these responses we have received to those questions over the years. So on this episode of Ideas That Must Die in Mining, we are joined by, in order: Jon Goodman, Attila Pentek, Jon Hronsky, Tony Manini, Hedley Widdup and Mary Poulton. Lets...

#38 - The Lost Cities of Gold with Keith Barron

July 08, 2021 01:18 - 52 minutes - 119 MB

Keith Barron is often referred to as the Indiana Jones of Mining. His search for the Lost Cities of Gold could easily be a movie plot line. But there is so much more to this story than that. 

#37 - The Elephant in the Room with Jonathan Goodman

December 12, 2020 17:51 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MB

The elephant in the room is that the mining industry has lost the trust of the most serious investors, causing an exodus of capital that will not return quickly. 

#36 - The Career Road Less Travelled with Attila Pentek

November 17, 2020 08:02 - 45 minutes - 42 MB

A common career fork in the road: to stay and be loyal to a company to earn opportunities? Or to leave and pursue challenges elsewhere? That is the question in the minds of many.

#35 - Why we decided to create this podcast

November 09, 2020 03:54 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MB

Over the last 4 years, Steve and I have been the interviewers asking all the questions. This time, we are the ones answering the questions. And you the listeners get to find out what you have always wanted to know about Exploration Radio.

#34 - In a League of Her Own with Kathy Ehrig

April 11, 2020 10:48 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MB

Career paths for executives and managers are usually well established. For technical roles, usually not so. What is Kathy Ehrig's secret to surviving as one for nearly 3 decades at BHP? Learning a new language.

MINI - The Good & the Bad of the UNCOVER project

March 30, 2020 01:30 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

UNCOVER was an initiative setup to combat the declining rate of mineral discoveries in Australia. There were many good outcomes from the project; NExUS being one. But perhaps in the end, the project struggled to accomplish its main goal - of changing the exploration industry in Australia.

#33 - Learning from Walt Disney with Richard Lilly

March 25, 2020 11:17 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MB

Over 80 years ago, Walt Disney started teaching his employees how to become better animators. Richard Lilly and NExUS are trying to do the same with geoscientists now.

#32 - Turning Around the Titanic with Sam Walsh

March 02, 2020 02:16 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MB

Everyone says making changes in big companies is like turning around the Titanic. Find out how Sam Walsh did it for one of the biggest companies in the world. 

#31 - Making Decisions in Real Time with Michelle Carey and Marcus Lake

October 27, 2019 22:20 - 1 hour - 58.9 MB

We are obsessed with technology that gives us data in real time. What we really need is the ability to make better decisions in near real time.

#30 - First Tell a Story, then Run it as a Business with Tony Manini

October 21, 2019 10:24 - 1 hour - 60.9 MB

Would early stage exploration be more successful in attracting investment if it was funded by private investors... like how venture capital firms fund startups in other industries. 

#29 - A Major Difference with Steve McIntosh

September 30, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MB

Everyone in the industry has an opinion on how major companies should run exploration. Maybe it is time we have an honest conversation about why these companies have to be different.

#28 - Is Innovation a Behavioural Problem with Michelle Ash

September 08, 2019 12:52 - 1 hour - 57.1 MB

All innovation programs have a 70/30 rule associated with them. Only 30% of the problem is related to the technology. The other 70% is all about people's behaviours. To be successful, you have to solve both.

#27 - Circular Economy in Mining with Saleem Ali

August 28, 2019 03:49 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MB

Did you know that 3M started off as mining venture in 1902? Over the last 100 years, it has become a materials company. Would mining companies be more sustainable as a business if they were more vertically integrated? Should they do more than just mining?

#26 - The Hidden Risk in "No-Risk" Countries with Christian Jervelund

August 18, 2019 10:25 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MB

Social license issues have become commonplace in mining. In OECD countries, where there are more avenues of industrial development, navigating these has its own risks. We perceive these countries to be low risk for mining development. But is that changing?

#25 - What, Why and How: Data Science in Mining with Richard Scott

August 11, 2019 14:24 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MB

A lot of the debate around data science in mining focuses on the what and the why: what information do geologists and engineers need to learn and why do they need to learn it. But the real question is: how do we learn from each other?

#24 - Real-Time Analytics with Thor Kallestad

July 29, 2019 03:50 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MB

Mining has always been considered a laggard in adopting real-time analytics when compared to the oil and gas industry. This was not because of a lack of interest. In reality, there were some good reasons why this did not work in mining. Until now.