This week, we are again joined by Dr Alex Speer, former long time executive director of the Mineralogical Society of America. Dr. Speer is a MSC fellow and the secretary treasurer of the Geological Society of America's Mineralogy Geochemistry, Petrology and Volcanology Division. In this episode, we talk about geopolitical competition for mineral resources and why minerals matter so much in modern society. 

In the first part of this conversation, our host Thomas Hale talks to  Dr. Alex Speer about his journey into the world of minerals, the importance of minerology in our day-to-day lives, and the complex questions of selecting optimal mineral extraction techniques in different situations. It should be noted that this episode was recorded before the recent invasion of Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter: @RHP_Pod

In part two of this episode, Thomas Hale and Anna Poberezhna discuss how technologies, such as blockchain and the digitisation of water, create 'true value' and encourage holistic sustainability in the green economy. Anna is Ukrainian and during this episode she makes reference to the events of 2014. It should be noted that this episode was recorded before the recent invasion of Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter: @RHP_Pod

In part 1 of this episode, our host Thomas Hale speaks to Anna Poberezhna, founder and CEO of Smart4Tech, about the challenges of sustainable mining and the nexus of minerals, water, and food. Anna discusses how companies can develop a cross-sector expertise to drive the innovation and courage needed to tackle new and existing challenges in the extractive sector. Anna is Ukrainian and during this episode she makes reference to the events of 2014. It should be noted that this episode was...

In the final episode of Series 1, Suzanne Green joins Dr. Saleem Ali to discuss the circular economy and the lifecycle carbon trade-off between using plastic, metals & glass. They also speak about how universities & scientific institutions can better assist mineral-reliant industries as they work together to create a more sustainable world.

For part three of our A Rock and A Hard Place interview with Dr Corby Anderson, the metallurgical and materials engineering expert gives us his reasoning for why minerals matter and explains what is needed from those aspiring to make their mark in the extractive and processing sector.

In Part 2, our host, Thomas Hale continues his conversation with Dr Anderson. This week the discussion moves on to universities, the courses they are having to offer to entice a new type of student and what options they have when they move into the world of work in mining. 

In part one of this three-part episode of A Rock and A Hard Place, our host Thomas Hale talks to Dr Corby Anderson of the Colorado School of Mines about the differing approaches to mineral security shown by the US and China. They explore why mining is a politically toxic issue, how it is more nuanced than is sometimes presented and how this impacts policy on critical metals and supply chain security. Dr Anderson speaks on the tension between a desire to transition to a green economy coupled...

Dr Jon Kellar is a professor at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. During his 30-year career in education, Dr Kellar has had a remarkable impact on undergraduate studies of the minerals industry, creating programs that integrate mineral processing, extractive metallurgy and physical metallurgy.  He joins our host Thomas Hale to discuss innovations in his field, the challenges of building reliable and responsible mineral supply chains, and how we can develop new strategies to...