The Northern Miner Podcast

This episode features a keynote speech by Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto. Bristow discusses how gold production is "teetering on the brink of a production decline" and how Barrick plans to circumvent the situation by developing 'Tier 1' mines and prospects. He also explains how ESG is becoming a major factor in investment decisions, and how mining companies have a moral obligation and duty to develop local communities. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features a speech by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his vision for the mining industry in the context of climate change at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto on March 2, 2020. Trudeau draws comparisons between today’s climate debate and the NAFTA debate from the late-1980s; responds to Teck’s decision to cancel its Frontier oil sands project; and explains why Canadian miners should take a leading role in developing a responsible and socially conscious mining industry. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features excerpts from Cameco's Feb. 7, 2020, conference call. Cameco president and CEO Tim Gitzel discusses the fundamentals of the uranium market, spot market purchases, vision and strategy, ESG, the company's tax dispute with the CRA, and supply risk in the uranium market. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features excepts from the Barrick Gold and Freeport McMoRan conference calls. Barrick Gold CEO Mark Bristow discusses the focus on ESG as a ‘strategic imperative’, the company outlook, the dividend, and the gold market. Freeport-McMoRan CEO Richard C. Adkerson discusses the company’s focus on ESG and safety, the copper market, and the latest news from its massive Grasberg project in Indonesia, which is the subject of media speculation as a potential Barrick acquisition. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features the induction of the Eberhard (“Ebe”) Scherkus to the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto on Jan. 9, 2020. The success and longevity of Agnico Eagle Mines owes much to Eberhard (“Ebe”) Scherkus, who joined the company as a project manager in 1985, became chief operating officer (COO) in 1998, and was president and COO from 2005 until he retired in 2012. During this period, he transformed Agnico Eagle from a regional single-mine company into a top-performing global gold producer, expanding the company’s La Ronde project into a productive mine that has produced 5 million oz. gold. Scherkus has received many awards and honours for his achievements, including the Viola McMillan Award from PDAC in 2000, and the Selwyn G. Blaylock Medal from CIM in 2005. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features the induction of the late Hans Lundberg to the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto on Jan. 9. Hans Lundberg was a visionary pioneer in the development and application of geophysical and geochemical methods for mineral exploration. Lundberg was the first to conduct ground geophysical surveys in Canada in the 1920s, and one of his greatest accomplishments was the first application of airborne geophysical methods in the 1940s, and his adaptations of geophysical instruments for use from aircraft. In the 1950s, Lundberg pioneered airborne radiometric surveying, which would prove invaluable to uranium exploration in subsequent decades. He left a legacy of discovery and innovation that was unparalleled in his lifetime, and earned him the reputation as Canada’s first ambassador of exploration. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features the induction of Alex G. Balogh to the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto on Jan. 9. During a career spanning 50 years, Balogh earned his place in a select group of industry leaders who shaped and built Noranda and Falconbridge into the most successful mining and metallurgical giants in Canadian history. He has the rare distinction of contributing to the growth of both companies, starting with Noranda, which he joined at Gaspé Copper in 1954 after earning a degree in metallurgical engineering from McGill University in his home city of Montreal, Quebec. Balogh’s greatest contribution to the mining industry and to society was in the 1970s, with the introduction of Noranda’s continuous smelting and converting process at the Horne smelter in Quebec. This pioneering process improved energy and environmental efficiency, eliminated the emission of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere — mitigating the “acid rain” issue — and ensured the longevity of the Horne smelter, which could treat a variety of feed materials as other smelters closed. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features the induction of P. Jerry Asp to the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto on Jan. 9. P. Jerry Asp is one of Western Canada’s most prominent Indigenous leaders and a tireless advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in the mining industry. His leadership skills came to the fore in the 1980s, during a mineral exploration and mining boom in the “Golden Triangle” of northwestern British Columbia. Asp has focused on building bridges of understanding between the mining sector and Indigenous peoples and challenging misconceptions that hinder the reconciliation process. He has received many awards for his trailblazing role. In 2011, he was the recipient of PDAC’s prestigious “Skookum Jim Award” for his exceptional achievements and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features an interview with Paulo Castellari, CEO of Atlantic Nickel and Appian Brazil, who discusses the company’s Santa Rita nickel project in Brazil with acting editor-in-chief Trish Saywell. Atlantic Nickel recently sold its first nickel concentrate from Santa Rita and signed a three-year offtake contract with Trafigura. The project was previously owned by Mirabela Nickel, who operated the mine for six years before it shut down in 2015 due to low nickel prices and high costs. Topics include: the volatility of the nickel market; what it’s like to mine in Brazil; Atlantic Nickel’s offtake agreement with Trifigura; and Atlantic’s private ownership by Appian Capital. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/

This episode features Shelby Yee, co-founder and CEO of RockMass Technologies, who spoke on how startups and mining companies can work together. The presentation took place at the 2019 Progressive Mine Forum at the MaRS Discovery District in downtown Toronto. Shelby discussed ways in which mining companies can find startup partners and also how to create a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties. Topics include: the simulated environment vs. the operating environment; why new technologies don't need to be risky; and the tension over intellectual property and how win-win deals can be made. All this and more with online editor and host Adrian Pocobelli. Music Credits: “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/ Photo credit: George Matthew Photography.