Suits and Boots | The Critical Minerals Podcast

TDi Sustainability

Insights and discussions on hot topics from the world of responsible sourcing from TDi Sustainability's expert analysts and specialist guests.With suits in the boardroom and boots on the ground, TDi provides a 360-degree perspective on sustainability and long-term business resilience for businesses across the length and breadth of global mineral and metal value chains.

  1. 3d ago

    Secure, Sovereign, Supplied? The New Critical Minerals Race

    Critical minerals supply chains have moved from an efficiency problem to an economic-security and industrial-strategy problem. Export restrictions, geopolitical competition, volatile prices and heavy concentration in processing have made governments more willing to use public finance, strategic offtake, stockpiling and allied partnerships to create alternative supply.  The challenge is translating sovereignty from policy intent into commercially durable projects. No country can be self-sufficient across every mineral and processing stage, so resilience depends on trusted partners, investable infrastructure, functioning midstream capacity and market signals that reward diversification without fragmenting trade or weakening responsible production. The speakers in this podcast are:  Helaina Matza: Chief Strategic Development Officer, TechMet LtdPhotinie Koutsavlis: Vice President, Economic Affairs and Climate Change, Mining Association of CanadaThis episode explores how mineral sovereignty can strengthen supply security without pursuing unrealistic self-sufficiency. The speakers examine the partnerships, infrastructure, investment and market interventions needed to build resilient critical mineral supply chains. They also consider how success can be measured through commercially viable projects, responsible production and fewer supply vulnerabilities. This episode is part of the TDi Sustainability special series of podcasts produced in advance of the Resourcing Tomorrow 2026 event that will take place in London between 1-3 December. Find out more about the event here.

    Secure, Sovereign, Supplied? The New Critical Minerals Race

  2. Sep 2

    From Dialogue to Delivery: Bridging the Execution Gap

    As demand for critical minerals accelerates, the gap between ambition and delivery continues to widen. Projects remain slow to advance, often taking decades due to regulatory complexity, capital discipline, and operational constraints. The industry is being pushed to move beyond planning and into execution that delivers tangible outcomes. The speakers in this podcast are: Darryn Quayle: Vice President, Mining for WorleyTerry Briggs: Chief Development Officer for Anglo Gold AshantiChristopher Vandome: Senior Research Fellow, Global Economy and Finance Programme and Africa Programme; Lead, Critical Minerals Initiative, Chatham HouseAssheton Stewart Carter: Executive Chair, TDi Sustainability (Host)The speakers argue that the execution gap is systemic rather than technical, emphasising that feasibility studies must be designed to build mines rather than simply raise capital, that execution expertise and affected stakeholders should be involved at concept stage, and that projects must be aligned with corporate, national and local priorities.  This episode is part of the TDi Sustainability special series of podcasts produced in advance of the Resourcing Tomorrow 2026 event that will take place in London between 1-3 December. Find out more about the event here.

    From Dialogue to Delivery: Bridging the Execution Gap

  3. Jul 31

    Climate Modelling and the Future of Mining

    For many years, climate discussions have focused on emissions reduction and net-zero commitments. But increasingly, companies and investors are asking a different question: how will a changing climate affect the places where we operate, the materials we produce, and the communities and supply chains that support them? This episode explores how climate models, emissions scenarios and site-level hazard data can be combined with operational vulnerability assessments to identify physical climate risks, understand how they may evolve over time, prioritise adaptation and support more resilient investment and business decisions. Through their partnership on TDi’s digital platform, TDi Sustainability and AXA Climate are translating this climate data into practical, asset-level intelligence that helps companies identify risk hotspots, prioritise vulnerable operations and strengthen resilience across mineral value chains. Speakers include: Christelle Castet – Head of Science, AXA Climate Clàudia Ylla Arbós – Flood and Climate Risk Expert, AXA Climate Charlotte Selvey Miller - Head of Innovation and Productisation, TDi Christelle Castet leads the development of climate risk models and adaptation indicators, where she helps organisations understand and respond to the physical impacts of climate change. Working at the intersection of climate science, risk analytics and business decision-making, she oversees a multidisciplinary team of experts in geosciences, agronomy and data science, ensuring that the latest scientific research is translated into practical insights for industry and communities. Clàudia Ylla Arbós specialises in the assessment and modelling of physical climate risks and their implications for businesses, infrastructure and communities. Her work focuses on translating complex climate and hydrological data into actionable insights that help organisations understand their exposure to future climate hazards and strengthen long-term resilience strategies.

    Climate Modelling and the Future of Mining

  4. Mar 31

    The Just Transition in Practice: From Capital Markets to Critical Minerals

    In this episode, we explore the intersection of finance, justice and the energy transition - and what a truly “just” approach to mining looks like in practice. We discuss the role of investors in helping to ensure the transition to net zero is not only fast, but fair - and why justice, accountability and strong institutions may be the defining ESG issues of our time. Speakers include: Soledad Mills I Senior Vice President at TDi Sustainability Ashley Hamilton Claxton | Head of Responsible Investment at Royal London Asset Management (RLAM)Ashley Hamilton Claxton is a responsible investment specialist at RLAM, where she focuses on stewardship, sustainability, and long-term value creation for clients. With extensive experience in environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration, Ashley works closely with companies, policymakers and industry stakeholders to drive meaningful progress on systemic sustainability challenges.

    The Just Transition in Practice: From Capital Markets to Critical Minerals

  5. Mar 26

    The End of Mining? Or the Beginning of Legacy?

    Across the world, thousands of mining operations will enter closure and transition in the next two decades. The question of what happens to mining developments once extraction stops – how closure is planned, financed, governed, and who should take responsibility – are defining issues for an industry facing fresh scrutiny amidst debates around critical minerals and a just energy transition.   In this episode, we discuss legacies as encompassing environmental, social, cultural, economic and governance dimensions that can extend well beyond the mine footprint and persist across generations.  Speakers include: Soledad Mills I Senior Vice President at TDi Sustainability Dr. Guy Boggs | CEO at CRC TiMEDr. Rob Stevens | Senior Associate at IGFGuy has extensive experience providing leadership in innovation and actively working at the interface of industry and research. He has led the delivery of large Australian Government funded programs driving knowledge development and industry practice change.  At IGF, Rob’s work focuses on supporting member countries with advancing their technical capacity and legal and policy frameworks on mine closure and the post-mining transition.

    The End of Mining? Or the Beginning of Legacy?

  6. Feb 8

    Mining Indaba: At the Crossroads | Coal, Capital and Energy Equity in Africa

    As global energy priorities shift, coal is re-entering the conversation in Africa - raising complex questions around investment, sustainability and energy equity. In this episode, we discuss whether renewed coal investment is real, what ‘clean coal’ means in practice, and how coal may fit within Just Energy Transition commitments. Speakers include: Assheton Stewart Carter I Executive Chair and Founder at TDi SustainabilityPaul Baruya | Director of Strategy and Sustainability at FutureCoalSince joining FutureCoal in 2022, Paul has led work on the role of advanced coal technologies in a carbon-neutral future and the strategic importance of coal in developing economies. Paul’s expertise spans energy-system modelling and market analysis.  This episode is part of the TDi Sustainability special series of podcasts produced for the Mining Indaba event that will take place in Cape Town between 9th – 12th February 2026. Find out more about the event>

    Mining Indaba: At the Crossroads | Coal, Capital and Energy Equity in Africa

  7. Feb 8

    Mining Indaba: Beyond the Mine Site | Infrastructure, Corridors, and Regional Development

    In this episode, we explore how large-scale mining projects can be designed as engines of economic development. Our speakers discuss mining infrastructure at a landscape-scale, the role of mineral corridors, infrastructure-led industrialisation, and the mindset shifts needed from investors, governments and companies to deliver long-term inclusive impact and shared prosperity. Speakers include: Assheton Stewart Carter I Executive Chair and Founder at TDi SustainabilitySafiatou Diallo | General Manager - Regional Economic Development & Strategy at Rio Tinto GuineaSafiatou Diallo leads Rio Tinto’s regional economic development and strategy for the Simandou Project in Guinea- one of the world’s most significant mining developments. She works to ensure the project creates shared value through infrastructure, local enterprise growth, and partnerships that foster sustainable investment and regional transformation. This episode is part of the TDi Sustainability special series of podcasts produced for the Mining Indaba event that will take place in Cape Town between 9th – 12th February 2026. Find out more about the event>

    Mining Indaba: Beyond the Mine Site | Infrastructure, Corridors, and Regional Development

  8. Feb 7

    Mining Indaba: Communities, Co-ownership and Inclusion | Rethinking Inclusion in African Mining

    Marie-Chantal Kaninda joined Glencore DRC six years ago as Executive Director and Head of Corporate Affairs. Since July 2022, she has chaired the Board of Directors of Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), and since January 2023, she has held the position of President of Glencore DRC. She has more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry, acquired in large international groups such as Ashanti Goldfields, AngloGold Ashanti, De Beers Group — where she managed administration, communication, external affairs in Central Africa as well as community relations in Africa - and Rio Tinto, as Director of External Relations for Africa. This discussion leans on Marie-Chantal 's leadership experience at Glencore and the Kamoto Copper Company to discuss whether shared value, profit-sharing, and new partnership models could help reshape trust and collaboration between mining companies and local communities. Speakers include: Assheton Stewart Carter | Executive Chair & Founder, TDi SustainabilityMarie-Chantal Kaninda | President & Chairman, Glencore DRC & KCCThis episode is part of the TDi Sustainability special series of podcasts produced for the Mining Indaba event that will take place in Cape Town between 9th – 12th February 2026. Find out more about the event>

    Mining Indaba: Communities, Co-ownership and Inclusion | Rethinking Inclusion in African Mining
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Insights and discussions on hot topics from the world of responsible sourcing from TDi Sustainability's expert analysts and specialist guests.With suits in the boardroom and boots on the ground, TDi provides a 360-degree perspective on sustainability and long-term business resilience for businesses across the length and breadth of global mineral and metal value chains.

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