The Northern Miner Podcast
The Northern Miner
The original global mining podcast. With over 100 years of experience serving the mining and exploration industry, crucial reports by The Northern Miner writing staff inform the decision-making process of thousands of high-performing mining professionals.
As an independent, fully paid news source, The Northern Miner maintains a commitment to objective reporting not influenced by any external interests.
As an independent, fully paid news source, The Northern Miner maintains a commitment to objective reporting not influenced by any external interests.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 31, 2026 • 1h 3min
Bloomberg Intelligence’s Grant Sporre on copper, sulphur and the Strait of Hormuz
This week’s episode features Grant Sporre, Global Head of Metals and Mining at Bloomberg Intelligence, in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli on the copper market and the potential impact of sulphur supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Sporre explains how constrained sulphur supplies could affect copper production, particularly in the DRC and Zambia’s Copperbelt. He also discusses the pressure higher energy prices could place on copper producers, as well as the risk of weaker prices in the event of a global economic slowdown.
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Mar 24, 2026 • 1h 19min
Reuters’ Andy Home on the Strait of Hormuz, aluminum and tungsten
This week’s episode features Andy Home, Senior Metals Columnist at Reuters, in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli on the aluminum market and recent developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Home explains why aluminum is facing a “slow-burn” supply crisis and why resolving it will be difficult.
He also examines the impact of a closure of the Strait of Hormuz on global aluminum supply chains. In addition, Home discusses tungsten, its military applications, and why shortages of the metal are likely to persist.
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Mar 18, 2026 • 48min
Franco-Nevada CEO Paul Brink on mining education
This week’s podcast features Paul Brink, President and CEO of Franco-Nevada, in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli about education in the mining sector. Franco-Nevada has partnered with The Northern Miner to launch a portal highlighting post-secondary programs and scholarship opportunities in Canada. Brink also discusses the need to attract more people to the industry in order to supply the resources required for the next generation of technologies, including AI and data centres.
To learn more, visit: fn.northernminer.com
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
This week’s Spotlight features Brent Johnson, who discusses how the company’s flagship products are helping reduce the environmental footprint of mining companies and metals processors.
To learn more, visit: https://dundeetechnologies.com/
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Mar 10, 2026 • 1h 22min
Battery metals are back, ft MINING.com's Frik Els on the EV market
This week’s episode features Frik Els, Editor-at-Large at MINING.com, in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli on the evolving landscape of battery metals and electric vehicles. Els explains how battery technology, particularly developments emerging from China, is reshaping demand for so-called battery metals. He also discusses the growing popularity of LFP batteries over NCM chemistries, and why sodium-ion batteries could become the next major innovation in the sector. Finally, he shares his outlook on the EV market and explains why Europe may be the next key test for Chinese automakers.
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
This week’s Spotlight features Paul Huet, Chairman and CEO of Americas Gold and Silver, who discusses the company’s Galena silver–copper–antimony project in Idaho and the Cosalá copper–lead–zinc project in Mexico. To learn more, visit: https://americas-gold.com/
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Mar 3, 2026 • 1h 1min
PDAC Day 3: Vale Base Metals CEO Shaun Usmar, Rick Rule, PDAC's Jeff Killeen and more...
This episode marks the Northern Miner Podcast’s third day of coverage from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto. Host Adrian Pocobelli sits down with Vale Base Metals CEO Shaun Usmar to discuss the company’s metals strategy and outlook. Legendary investor Rick Rule also joins the program to share his views on the markets and this year’s conference. PDAC’s Director of Policy and Programs, Jeff Killeen, discusses how he sees this year’s event and the themes shaping the industry. CleanTech Lithium CEO Ignacio Mehech outlines the company’s lithium project in Chile, while sponsors Dan McCoy of Eminent Gold and Nic Earner of Alkane Resources stop by to talk about their companies’ work and their perspectives on PDAC.
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Mar 2, 2026 • 53min
PDAC Day 2: US Dept of Energy's Robertson, UK's Prodger, Gold Terra, Regency Silver
This episode marks the Northern Miner Podcast’s second day of coverage from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto. Host Adrian Pocobelli sits down with U.S. Department of Energy CMEI Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson to discuss how the United States is working to strengthen and secure its critical minerals supply chain. UK Deputy High Commissioner David Prodger also joins the program to outline the United Kingdom’s strategy and perspective on resource security. In addition, show sponsors Gerald Panneton of Gold Terra Resource and Bruce Bragagnolo of Regency Silver share updates on their respective projects in Canada and Mexico.
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Mar 2, 2026 • 32min
PDAC Day 1: Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Al Belushi and TMX Group’s Dean McPherson
This episode marks the Northern Miner Podcast’s first day of coverage from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto. Today’s guests include Abdulrahman Al Belushi, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Mineral Resources Management, in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli about how the Kingdom is advancing its mining sector, with a particular focus on copper and exploration. Also joining the program is Dean McPherson, Head of Global Mining at TMX Group, who discusses the state of Canadian capital markets and how TMX is working to support and finance mineral exploration.
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Feb 24, 2026 • 1h 20min
Phillip Mackey on the buildout of the West’s metals processing capacity
This week’s episode features Phillip Mackey, a renowned metallurgist and member of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli on the West’s efforts to build out metals processing capacity. Mackey explains how price floors, combined with new technologies and sustained commitment, can help Canada, the United States, and Europe achieve greater resilience in their supply chains. He also discusses key challenges, including energy constraints, tariffs, and China’s dominance in much of the global metals processing sector.
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
This week’s Spotlight features James Atkinson, CEO and Director of Antimony Resources, who discusses the company’s Bald Hill antimony project in New Brunswick, Canada. To learn more, visit: https://antimonyresources.ca/
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Feb 17, 2026 • 1h 19min
Glencore-Rio Tinto merger challenged by complexity, ft Bloomberg Intelligence's Alon Olsha
This week’s episode features Alon Olsha, Senior Analyst for Metals & Mining at Bloomberg Intelligence, in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli about the recent failed merger discussions between Rio Tinto and Glencore. Olsha explains how the sheer complexity of combining two global mining giants proved a major obstacle, alongside issues such as valuation gaps and management structure. He also traces the history of the two companies and their long-standing merger speculation, examines their respective portfolios, and analyzes how a combined entity might have complemented each business.
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
This week’s Spotlight features Ricky Chan and Gary Baschuk, Co-Heads of Mining at PearTree Canada, discussing the state of mining finance, the role of flow-through shares, and what they’re expecting at this year’s PDAC conference. To learn more, visit: https://peartreecanada.com/
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 15min
PDAC president Karen Rees previews this year’s conference
This week’s episode features Karen Rees, President of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli about this year’s PDAC conference in Toronto. Rees describes the strong sense of momentum across the mining industry and highlights the expanded conference floor, which will accommodate more exhibitors than ever. She also offers practical advice on how to navigate the event—“wear comfortable shoes”—and discusses key features including the Investor Exchange, the trade show, and the North and South buildings. To attend the conference, visit: https://pdac.ca/
All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli.
This week’s Spotlight features Kerem Usenmez, President and CEO of Volta Metals, who discusses the company’s Springer rare earths and gallium project in Ontario.
To learn more, visit: https://www.voltametals.ca/
“Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (www.incompetech.com).
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner
