32 episodes

Welcome to A Rock and A Hard Place, a podcast brought to you by Mineral Choices. In each episode, Dr Saleem Ali and Thomas Hale speak to experts about the integral but too often hidden role of minerals in our modern world. From complex communications infrastructure to next-generation clean energy solutions, minerals are the key to unlocking a brighter and sustainable future. However, supplying enough minerals to meet the world’s ever-increasing demand is a significant challenge. Stuck with a choice between accelerating conventional mining activities and finding new alternative mineral resources, what is the global solution to this global problem?

A Rock and A Hard Place Mineral Choices

    • Science

Welcome to A Rock and A Hard Place, a podcast brought to you by Mineral Choices. In each episode, Dr Saleem Ali and Thomas Hale speak to experts about the integral but too often hidden role of minerals in our modern world. From complex communications infrastructure to next-generation clean energy solutions, minerals are the key to unlocking a brighter and sustainable future. However, supplying enough minerals to meet the world’s ever-increasing demand is a significant challenge. Stuck with a choice between accelerating conventional mining activities and finding new alternative mineral resources, what is the global solution to this global problem?

    Opportunities and Obstacles for Deep-Sea Mining

    Opportunities and Obstacles for Deep-Sea Mining

    Join me for part two of my conversation with Erika Ilves, Head of Strategy & Business Development at The Metals Company as we discuss some of the opportunities of deep-sea mining and the real challenges and obstacles still being dealt with politically, socially, and economically in the field. Erika also provides some insights on how we can begin to engage in thoughtful discussions on where we source our metals and the immense challenges of a metal-intense energy future. With our opt...

    • 13 min
    The Fundamentals of Deep-Sea Mining

    The Fundamentals of Deep-Sea Mining

    Join me on this exciting episode as I speak with Erika Ilves, Head of Strategy & Business Development at The Metals Company, about the fundamentals behind deep-sea mining. We start out discussion off by learning about what deep-sea mining is and the diversity of mineral resources in the ocean. Erika informs viewers on the different types of metal resources found within these deposits and why TMC has decided to focus its efforts on deep-sea nodules. We also discuss the techniques and proce...

    • 23 min
    Challenges in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

    Challenges in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

    Join us for part 2 with Hugh Brown as we identify some of the common challenges in ASM he has observed throughout his travels. We also learn more about how his photography attempts to bring humanity to these important issues, rather than dismissing the reality of millions who depend on the sector to survive. Hugh also provides some commentary on the common ASM myths he often hears and tries to explain how the reality of these challenges are much more complex and difficult to address than simp...

    • 15 min
    The Power of Photography and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

    The Power of Photography and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

    Join us this week as we have Hugh Brown on the podcast, a best selling documentary photographer passionate about telling stories about the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. In this episode, we talk about the power of photography in telling stories about the people involved in this sector and how it is often the case that the images we see in the news and across the world focusing on ASM are typically used for political purposes rather than calls for action to reform and provide opportu...

    • 18 min
    Mineral Education Organizations and Best Practices in Geo-Communication

    Mineral Education Organizations and Best Practices in Geo-Communication

    Join us for another episode with Courtney Onstad, a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. In this episode we discus some of the best practices and methodologies that should be implemented in the geoscience communication space. Courtney also emphasizes the critical importance of early education and making good impressions with kids who may grow up to solve our future energy and mining challenges. We also discuss the role of mineral literacy organizations and thei...

    • 19 min
    Geoscience Communication & Mineral Literacy

    Geoscience Communication & Mineral Literacy

    On this episode, I am joined by Courtney Onstad, a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, studying geoscience communication. Her research focuses on how science communication theory can inform geoscience communication practice, particularly in informal educational settings. Courtney first defines the concept of geoscience communication and how we can best implement it in a variety of academic, professional and public settings. We also discuss the importance of K-12 edu...

    • 22 min

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