Ed Sides’ Post

OK, mineral reporting standards... if you're thinking "been there, know the matrix, all handled thanks" please consider: 📶 Critical minerals often come in smaller, more complex deposits than those we've focused on for decades, and will be exploited by a wider variety of companies in size and funding approaches - building confidence in how these deposits are assessed, valued and structured will continue to require strong consensus on the rules of the game ✳ Reporting standards evolved to (re)create trust between promoters and their investors - we now have many, many other stakeholders participating in the conversation: these rules are an important tool to build a shared vocabulary, foster understanding and facilitate agreement on prioritisation (yes, I'm thinking of policy papers that refer to "reserves" as if numbers magically appeared on a spreadsheet 😥) 📈 At a time when policy shapers want to believe that their interest creates a market and directs investment, noise is increasing but feasibility is more complex than ever - the rush on Strategic Projects as the CRM Act is implemented, rising expectations in resource-rich countries and the push for public funding of upstream growth create a perfect nexus for expensive mistakes: now more than ever we need to ensure that market expectations and investment requirements are clear and drive decision-making, including policy choices Then have a quick refresh ... and send it to 3 contacts who need a decoder! Thanks to Ed Sides and Ruth Allington for reminding us that the basics still hold - and are more relevant than ever ! #responsibleinvestment #responsiblemining

Mineral Reporting Standards: PERC’s Role in CRIRSCO and Its Relevance to the European Mining Sector Modern society is heavily reliant on minerals to support current lifestyles and requires continued investment in the exploration, evaluation, development, and production of mineral raw materials. Potential investors and their advisors require reliable information to support decisions on investments in minerals projects. To address these needs, international guidelines and reporting standards have been developed. The Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO) is an international association of fifteen regional organisations from around the world, which promotes best standards in international minerals reporting. The Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC), the European member of CRIRSCO, is an association of six Europe-based professional organisations, including the Geological Society of London (GSL). CRIRSCO-aligned reporting standards, such as the PERC Reporting Standard, are based on common principles, rules and guidance, and include sixteen common definitions of key terms. A description of the CRIRSCO International Reporting Template, which provides the basis for the development and periodic updating of individual standards such as the PERC Reporting Standard, is provided. The different elements of the 2019 version of the CRIRSCO Template are described, together with a discussion of changes and additions made in the PERC Reporting Standard 2021 which is based on it. The need for continual development and enhancement of the CRIRSCO-aligned standards to address investor concerns such as the need for information on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects of mineral projects, as well as greater rigour in defining competency requirements, is discussed. Reference is also made to the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and its relationship with the CRIRSCO-aligned standards, including the proposed use of the UNFC in the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and how the two systems could be used in a complementary manner to support the needs of both governments and investors in mineral companies https://lnkd.in/ee4ju3Xp

The IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining) supports professionals in materials, minerals, mining and associated technical disciplines to be champions of the transition to a low-carbon, resilient & resource efficient society. Their 2023 paper, The Talent Gap: Critical Skills for Critical Materials, investigates and confirms that a lack of access to skilled workers is a significant and growing risk facing the sector and UK economy.  Read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/eUZBYYZE   IOM3’s paper builds on work done by the CMA (UK)’s 2022 paper ‘A Talent Pipeline for Critical Minerals’, as well as the ambitions set out in the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy to ‘review the UK’s skills, education and training along the critical minerals value chain and define a critical minerals skills blueprint, recognising the full breadth of skills we need'.    From exploration geologists uncovering the UK's critical minerals potential and chemical engineers who discover innovate ways to recycle magnets, to social scientists who map our global supply chains and ESG consultants who track life cycle assessments-- the opportunities to pursue study and work in UK are diverse, rewarding and exciting.    The CMA (UK) is pleased to work in collaboration with IOM3 to deliver our careers event and call to action at the Natural History Museum on the 3rd of July. Both our organisatons have been at the forefront of the national discourse on the skills gaps in critical minerals, dedicated to nurturing the UK talent pipeline and highlighting the urgency of the skills gaps to both Government and the wider public.  ✍🏼 Sign up for free today! -> https://lnkd.in/eKdgvMcu

🌟 Exciting Insight into QMC's Journey and Impact on Mining in Mongolia! 🌟 Ever wondered about the dynamic landscape of mining in Mongolia and the role of consultancy services in navigating its challenges? Dive into this insightful interview with our CEO Dagva Myagmarsuren as he sheds light on the evolution of QMC's services and its pivotal role in shaping the mining sector. 🛠️ From Technical Expertise to Holistic Solutions: our CEO recounts QMC's inception in 2011, driven by the growing need for consultancy services amidst Mongolia's burgeoning mining industry. Initially focusing on technical studies, QMC swiftly adapted to address broader societal and environmental concerns, pioneering mine closure plans and influencing legislative changes. 🌍 Bridging Divides for Sustainable Development: Reflecting on the shifts in public perception towards mining, we emphasize QMC's commitment to fostering dialogue between stakeholders. Through engagement with regulators, communities, and industry giants like Oyu Tolgoi, QMC navigates complex issues, striving for mutually beneficial outcomes. 🔍 Charting the Future with Critical Minerals: Dagva Myagmarsuren, also head of the Critical Minerals Association, underscores the urgent need for Mongolia to capitalize on its vast mineral potential. With a spotlight on critical minerals and their strategic importance, he advocates for swift governmental action to seize international opportunities and ensure Mongolia's place in the global supply chain. 🚀 Seizing Opportunities, Shaping the Future: As Mongolia stands at the precipice of transformative change in its mining sector, QMC remains at the forefront, driving innovation and collaboration for sustainable development. Heartfelt thanks to GBR for preparing and posting this insightful interview, showcasing the vision and impact of QMC in shaping the future of mining in Mongolia and beyond! #Mining #Consultancy #Sustainability #MongoliaMining #CriticalMinerals #QMC #Leadership #Innovation #GBR

🌟 Exciting Developments in Geoscience BC’s Critical Minerals and Metals Research! 🌟 Geoscience BC is making strides in the critical minerals and metals sector, seeking further collaborations for independent research aimed at uncovering economic opportunities at current and historic mine sites in British Columbia. Phase 1 of the Critical Minerals and Metals in BC Mine Tailings and Waste Rock program is underway, focusing on analyzing existing data from mining operations to identify potential sources of valuable minerals that were previously overlooked. This initiative comes at a crucial time when the demand for critical minerals is at an all-time high, driven by the need for materials essential for the clean energy transition and advanced technologies. The program, led by Purple Rock Inc., has garnered interest from various companies and Indigenous groups, with confirmed funding from partners like Arca Climate, Foresight Canada, and New Gold. The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation’s Abandoned Mines Branch is also providing in-kind support, showcasing the collaborative effort behind this significant research. As Geoscience BC moves forward with this initiative, it's fascinating to consider the broader implications for the mining industry. How can these collaborations drive sustainable mining practices and economic growth? What other opportunities might emerge as we re-evaluate resources at historical sites? Your thoughts and insights are welcome! https://buff.ly/3yEYduc #Geoscience #CriticalMinerals #MiningIndustry #SustainableMining #CleanEnergy #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #Collaboration #MineralExploration #BCMining #ResourceManagement

SRK’s stepwise approach to pre-concentration analysis “With any pre-concentration analysis, we need to, first, understand the heterogeneity of the deposit; simply put, if you don’t have heterogeneity, you don’t have the ability to separate the good stuff from the bad stuff and carry out pre-concentration,” Bob McCarthy, Principal Consultant, SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc, says. With this baseline in mind, SRK Consulting has devised a pathway for companies with drill core at their disposal to analyse whether pre-concentration is a viable option for their flowsheet. Made up of five steps - Heterogeneity and Scale and Composite-Sample Relationship Analysis; “size the prize” economics; laboratory test work; mine planning; and mine economics - this staged approach is deliberately designed to allow companies to pause at the end of each phase to re-evaluate if there is a strong enough case to continue investing the time and finances required. Learn more about this approach in the article below... Further discussion on this and what SRK’s pre concentration analysis evaluation – with that embedded pre-concentration screening test – means within the broader mining industry context will follow in the final article in this three-part series later this year. #preconcentration #oresorting #mineralprocessing

In Defense One, Morgan Bazilian and I argue that the West’s efforts to build new mines and refineries for critical minerals will be challenging given the geological constraints with mining and the technological obstacles with refining. https://lnkd.in/e8bdGn_m To build more mines, companies need profitable deposits, which depend greatly on scale and grade. In the West, most large-scale, high-grade deposits have been discovered or are being mined. The Voisey's Bay discovery in 1993 was arguably the last major nickel sulphide discovery in the West. To build more refineries, companies in the West need the requisite technology. Yet, they often lack the appropriate technology as they ceded the processing in their mineral supply chains to China. With high-pressure acid leaching, for example, Western-run plants often bust budgets, fail to commission on time, and miss production targets. However, Western companies are making advances in mineral extraction and processing—often with government support, such as grants for exploration, loans for processing, and research funding for novel extraction and refining methods. The US Department of Defense, especially Manufacturing Capability Expansion & Investment Prioritization (MCEIP), has been the most active government department. While Western countries currently lack sufficient reserves to satisfy their total mineral demand, they could aim to increase mineral extraction and processing capacity to volumes that meet a good portion of their defense industries’ mineral demand given the national security implications.

Guidelines for Assessment of Geotechnical Safety and Stability for Post Mining Landforms will very soon be published by ACARP and available for download from acarp.com.au. The download will include the Project C34028 Report which provides supporting details and discussion. Key essentials include processes for evaluating geotechnical model uncertainty and consequence category, which provide justification for determining appropriate design acceptance criteria. Stability assessment may be undertaken by observational or analytical approaches, a choice to be made and justified by the geotechnical practitioner.

The Edo State Government has obtained 40 new licenses for solid mineral deposits within the state, facilitated through the Associates Mining and Investment Company, a special-purpose entity established by the state government. Revealing this development in Benin to a correspondent, the Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Enaholo Ojiefoh, emphasized the government's proactive approach to ensure that the state benefits fully from industrialization initiatives without being marginalized. Ojiefoh explained that the state intends to lease these licenses to interested private investors for the extraction of mineral resources within Edo State. He highlighted the collaborative efforts undertaken with Community Development Associations in areas where these mineral deposits are located, aiming to foster inclusive development and community participation in the utilization of these resources. Furthermore, Ojiefoh outlined the state's strategic vision to convert these mineral assets into tangible economic gains. He mentioned ongoing initiatives such as the establishment of a Commodities Trading and Mineral Analysis Centre in Dangbala, Akoko Edo, to facilitate efficient mineral trading and analysis. Additionally, the commissioner emphasized the importance of capacity building, noting collaborations with academic experts in disciplines such as Geology, Geophysics, Industrial Chemistry, and Biochemistry to enhance mineral exploration and exploitation capabilities. Highlighting specific mineral deposits within the state, Ojiefoh cited examples such as kaolin in Ubiaja, located in Edo Central Senatorial District, and gypsum in Warrake. He underscored the abundant natural resources present in Edo State, emphasizing the government's commitment to attracting investment and fostering economic development through the sustainable utilization of these mineral assets.

Hear from Arafura, Rio Tinto, Critical Minerals Group, Lindian Resources, Anglo American and more! The 2nd annual Australian Critical Minerals Conference is designed to bring together stakeholders involved in the critical minerals industry from the length of the value chain to explore the practical realities of where the sector stands and where it’s going. Here are just a few of the many mining company leaders you can't afford to miss: ● Alistair Stephens, Chief Executive Officer, Lindian Resources Limited joins us to discuss leveraging green mining to take full advantage of Australia's global opportunities ● Darryl Cuzzubbo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Arafura Rare Earths Limited brings us the latest news regarding the Nolans Project with a focus on maximising critical minerals opportunities ● Travis Baroni, Head of Technology – Battery Minerals, Rio Tinto will share his knowledge and insights into unlocking the future of critical mineral deposits through the development of new extraction and processing technology ● Scott Winter, Managing Director, Critical Minerals Group Ltd highlights the importance of critical minerals' role in battery technology and clean energy ● Moe Amanzadeh, Superintendent Data Science, Anglo American joins us to talk about leveraging AI and machine learning for enhanced geological data analysis Visit the website to view the full agenda and speaker list https://hubs.la/Q02sDSTl0 Register NOW to hear from key mining companies who will delve into the latest developments in critical minerals, how they’re navigating the current market, and how to prepare for the sector’s future. https://hubs.la/Q02sDTkr0