Understanding the Landscape of Mining Industry
Leveraging Advanced Automa on for Transforming Mining Opera ons
Mining asteroids will ul mately benefit humanity on and off the Earth in a mul tude of ways.
-Peter Diamandis
Canada’s mining industry has long been at the forefront of global mineral exploration and extraction. With abundant natural resources and a strong commitment to technological innovation, the country has continuously pushed the boundaries of mining advancements. In the edition of Canada’s 10 Best Mining Companies to Watch , we delve into Canada’s best mining advancements and explore the future prospects of this vital industry.
From the vast landscapes of northern Canada to the coastal regions of the Atlantic and Pacific, Canadian mines have contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth and resource development. The industry has continuously evolved, embracing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
Canada’s mining industry has made significant strides in sustainable mining practices. With a growing focus on environmental stewardship, Canadian mining companies have implemented innovative approaches to reduce their carbon footprint and minimize ecosystem disruption. From incorporating renewable energy sources to implementing efficient water management systems and reclamation efforts, sustainability is at the forefront of the industry’s priorities.
The industry is also embracing digital transformation and data-driven decision-making. The integration of advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence enables mining companies to optimize their operations, streamline processes, and make informed decisions based on real-time data. This digital revolution has the potential to unlock new efficiencies and drive further advancements in the industry.
Looking ahead, the future of Canada’s mining industry is promising. With ongoing technological advancements, there are opportunities for improved exploration techniques, increased mineral recovery rates, and enhanced environmental sustainability. Additionally, the demand for critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, is expected to rise with the growth of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technologies, positioning Canada as a key global supplier.
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December, 2022
Company
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Featuring Brief Company
Featuring
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Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp. appiaenergy.ca
Frederick Kozak President
Appia is a Canadian publicly-traded company in the uranium and rare earth element sectors.
Foran Mining foranmining.com
Dan Myerson
Execu ve Chairman and CEO
Foran Mining
Corpora on is a diversified explora on and development company with projects in central Canada's Flin Flon mining belt.
Cerrado is a Toronto based gold produc on, development and explora on company focused on gold projects in the Americas.
Great Bear Resources greatbearresources.ca
Chris Taylor President & CEO
Great Bear’s focus is on projects that have unique combina ons of geological merit, infrastructure advantages, and the capability to be rapidly advanced through resource defini on and beyond.
MAS GOLD CORP masgoldcorp.com
Jim Engdahl CEO
MAS Gold Corp. - TXSVMAS - is focused on explora on projects in Saskatchewan along the La Ronge Greenstone Belt.
CMX GOLD & SILVER CORP. cmxgoldandsilver.com
Glen Alston President & CEO
CMX is ramping up ac vity on its 100%-owned Clayton Silver Property in Idaho. The property is a strategic asset that provides an a rac ve risk-reward opportunity to confirm silver-lead-zinc reserves.
Maple Gold Mines maplegoldmines.com
Ma hew Hornor President & CEO
Maple Gold Mines is a Canadian advanced explora on company in a 50/50 JV with Agnico Eagle Mines to advance the district-scale Douay and Joutel gold projects located in Quebec's prolific Abi bi Greenstone Gold Belt.
Marathon Gold marathon-gold.com
Amanda Mallough Corporate Communica ons
Marathon Gold is a Torontobased gold company advancing its 100%-owned Valen ne Gold Project located in the Central Region of Newfoundland and Labrador, one of the top mining jurisdic ons in the world.
Yamana Gold yamana.com
Brad Rourke CEO
Sco e Resources Corp. sco eresources.com Sco e Resources Corp. (#TSX.V: SCOT) is an explora on stage company engaged in the acquisi on, explora on and evalua on of gold and silver proper es located in the “Golden Triangle” area of Bri sh Columbia, Canada.
Daniel Racine CEO
YAMANA GOLD is a Canadian-based precious metals producer with a high quality, diversified por olio, including significant gold and silver produc on; longlife produc on assets.
Nick Campbell Corporate Development CEO Cerrado Gold cerradogold.comAppia is a Canadian mineral exploration company focussed on critical materials, namely rare earths, gallium, and uranium.
Frederick Kozak President
Since the early days of civilization, humans have used mining techniques to access minerals from the earth's crust. Communities began to replace the nomadic lifestyle as Homo Sapiens evolved and the population expanded. Food, water, and shelter were all readily available to early tribes who settled near them. Human habitation began to be influenced by the location of other natural resources soon after.
Mined resources were most likely among the first commodities to be traded. Gradually, mining became one of the most important industries in the globe as the Mediterranean civilization developed. The best example of this is the wealth of Athens due to the extraction from silver mines.
The journey that started from unearthing copper and silver has reached the mining of rare earth elements today. This journey led to the inception of many successful companies in the mining field. One of the eminent names in that list is Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp . Appia is a mining company that focuses on the exploration of rare earth elements and uranium deposits.
Appia Rare Earths and Uranium Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focussed on critical materials, namely rare earths, gallium, and uranium. Appia is exploring high-grade critical rare earth elements and uranium in the Athabasca Basin area of northern Saskatchewan, as well as developing Appia's uranium and rare earths project in the historic Elliot Lake uranium mining camp in Ontario.
Canada's 10 Best Mining Companies to watch
Since 2017, Appia's focus has been on a drilling and exploration program on the flagship Alces Lake rare earths property in northern Saskatchewan. This rare earths discovery is hosted entirely in monazite, a mineral that has a much higher percentage (approximately 50% or more) of critical rare earths as compared to bastnaesite. The Alces Lake property has been called one of the world's best rare earths prospects, and typically, only the world's best deposits have been developed into mines.
Along with the rare earths, there is also associated gallium in the monazite, another very valuable critical mineral. On the uranium side, the company is continuing an exploration program in the prolific eastern Athabasca Basin area. Appia holds four claim blocks and is targeting at or near-surface, high-grade uranium, and its associated mineral system. These properties are near existing infrastructure, which makes them particularly attractive for potential development.
The company also has a 100% interest in certain claims in the historic Elliot Lake uranium camp area. This area contains previously worked uranium mines plus Canada's only historic rare earths production. Appia has conducted exploration on the claims in Elliot Lake and has produced a NI 43-101 resource report that highlights the known potential for uranium and rare earths on the property. Additional exploration is being considered.
The Elliot Lake camp has produced over 300 million pounds of U3O8 and is the only mining camp in Canada with significant historical commercial rare earth element production (yttrium). Appia's Elliot Lake project has a NI 43-101 report that reports U3O8 of 8.0 million pounds indicated and 20.1 million pounds inferred, plus total rare earth elements of 47.7 million pounds indicated and 133.2 million pounds inferred.
Frederick Kozak , the President of Appia, is a 40-year veteran of the resource extraction industry and the global capital markets. He has worked in producing and exploration companies in positions of senior management and has extensive experience and expertise in the world of equities markets and finance. He joined the company in March 2021 Replace with "and is working closely with the CEO and the Appia team as they resumed operations at Alces Lake in March 2022 for an extensive exploration and drilling program."
The company has excellent and extensive uranium assets in the historic Elliot Lake mining camp as well as three highly prospective uranium claims blocks in Saskatchewan.
If the world is going to meet Net-Zero by mid-century, there must be a movement towards other sources of energy other than solar and wind, which have their obvious limitations, as well as hydroelectric power, which as has been demonstrated this year relies on rainfall and is subject to shortfalls.
Nuclear power is currently the only viable long-term power solution that is green and clean, other than the future disposal of spent fuel. Uranium is a logical choice to assist in the move to a 22nd-century economy.
The ongoing pandemic has created a number of supply-chain problems which have hit all sectors - the mining sector is also affected. With consideration to these disruptions, Appia has mostly been able to conduct exploration relatively unimpeded. However, there has been a large impact on manpower and how the company conducts exploration. Appia has followed the relevant health authority guidelines and has sought to operate with industry-leading policies and procedures. There have been no COVID-19 outbreaks in Appia's exploration camps as a result.
The mining space is a definite beneficiary of the world's move to 'net zero' and a green economy. Replacing internal
combustion engines with electric vehicles requires an unfathomable amount of new mineral deposits for battery materials as well as electric motors (rare earth metals/magnets). The future of the mining industry is very bright but must be driven by the move to improve ESG and run more environmental-friendly exploration and development programs where feasible.
"In 2022, Appia will conduct the largest ever drilling program on the Alces Lake rare earths property. Talking about the ongoing plans, Frederick said, "We drilled approximately 8,075 meters of diamond drill core in 2021 and will drill even more in 2022. We are now back on the ground at Alces Lake (March 2022) and plan to drill 12,000+ metres of diamond drill core. We are continuing to delineate known discoveries and drill new exploration targets. Last year we identified an area of 27 square kilometres of high grade mineralization. This includes the previously discovered WRCB zone as well as the new discoveries in the Western Anomaly area. This is a very exciting exploration program for the company."
It is a fact that almost everything humans depend on is either made from minerals or relies on minerals in one or other ways. To meet the needs of the growing population worldwide, industries need to ramp up their production. To produce more, manufacturers need more materials. And to procure these materials, mining is a must.
Moreover, many industries are relying on the mining industry to acquire materials that are renewable or recyclable to increase the reusability of their products. However, the preservation of environmental resources is of the utmost importance throughout the mining process. For this to happen, the mining industry needs innovations that embrace the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria set by the authorities.
With the aim of exploring and developing sustainable mining practices and, at the same time, providing recyclable metals to various industries, Foran Mining was established.
Foran Mining Corporation is a diversified exploration and development company with projects in central Canada’s Flin Flon mining belt. The company’s flagship McIlvenna Bay Project is located in east-central Saskatchewan, 65 kilometers west of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and is destined to be the world’s first carbon-neutral copper mine.
Foran is led by the seasoned leader, Dan Myerson . He is the Executive Chairman and the CEO of the company. Using his vast experience, Dan aims to bring positive revolutionary changes to the mining industry.
Let’s explore more about Foran Mining’s journey and its plans to achieve a carbon-free society.
Foran is a mining development company with its flagship copper-zinc-gold-silver McIlvenna Bay deposit in eastern
OUR LONG-TERM STRATEGY IS TO BECOME A LEADING MINING COM PANY THAT WILL CHAMPION THE ESG REVOLUTION TOWARDS BUILD ING A DECARBONIZED SOCIETY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Saskatchewan. Its long-term strategy is to become a leading mining company that will champion the ESG revolution toward building a decarbonized society for future generations.
The company envisions McIlvenna Bay serving as the center of a new green mining camp along the prolific Flin Flon Greenstone Belt district, which has hosted mine operations for over 100 years. McIlvenna Bay sits on the western edge of this 225km mineralized belt that contains 29 present and past-producing mines.
Foran Mining is the world’s first carbon-neutral copper exploration and development company. “ Our goal is to build McIlvenna Bay to achieve our carbon-neutral initiatives and create a sustainable mining environment and circular economy that will benefit all stakeholders ,” tells the CEO, Dan Myerson.
Dan Myerson Execu ve Chairman, and CEO Foran Mining
“ The dominant metal at our deposit is copper, and we believe the global copper market is unprepared for the growing demand to reach the 2050 global net-zero emission goals ,” he adds.
By 2030, the world would need ten million tons of new copper to meet future targets (a growth of close to 50% of the current supply). This is 2x the size of the gap that triggered the early 2000s bull market. It takes decades to deliver a mine from discovery to the first production. “ To fill near-term needs of ten million tons, we would need the equivalent of ten Escondidas (the largest mine in the world) and over $100 billion of investment ,” Dan predicts.
Foran is constantly researching to invent new ways and methods with which it can help protect the environment as well as save costs. The company recently published its feasibility study, which outlined a pre-tax NPV of 7% of C$1.5B. “ As part of our feasibility study, we’ve included the use of underground electric equipment, which reduces the ventilation requirements, saving costs and helping the environment ,” Dan reveals.
Additionally, power to the site will eventually be provided using hydropower, a renewable energy source. In addition, Foran’s team is investigating alternative energy sources to potentially return power to the grid from the site (solar/biomass/other).
Foran aims to create work opportunities for the people in local communities. The company aspires to have a significant portion of its workforce be from local communities.
It intends to provide safe and well-paying work opportunities for local people and is creating a technological solution that allows workers to remotely operate the machines. The company plans to build a Remote Operations Centre to be used to operate equipment at the mine.
“ This center would provide well-paying jobs without the need to travel to the site; create a favorable work-life balance (making it easier for women and people with young children to apply), and equip locals with a highly transferable skill set, ” Dan hints.
Mr. Myerson joined Foran from Glencore, where he was the head of Glencore’s Canadian zinc business. Given his vast global experience in the metals and mining sectors, including refined metal and concentrates trading, mining, and smel ng opera ons, Mr. Myerson has a strong understanding of an industry in need of transforma on. His views on the environment are nothing new, but his passion and tenacity to deliver a carbonneutral project in a top global jurisdic on are key drivers to the company’s success.
Safety is one of the top requirements for mining companies to fulfill. Additionally, during times like the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become the obligation of every company to prioritize the well-being of its workforce.
When asked how Foran ensures the safety of its workforce, the CEO said, “ We follow industry best practices with regard to safety. This includes heightened protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a safe and illness-free work environment on-site and in our offices .”
The mining industry is the focus of the attention of numerous environmental supervisory bodies, as everyone wishes for it to be more ecologically conscious. This has created several challenges within the industry. In addition, mining companies have to follow strict regulations set by the government to conduct their operations these days.
When we asked Dan about the challenges the mining industry is going through, he responded by saying, “ We believe there is a lack of quality projects in quality jurisdictions. ”
Furthermore, he says, “ As the world hunts for new copper projects to satiate the urgent necessity to decarbonize our planet, geopolitical risks globally are impacting direct investment in regions where government regimes and taxation remain constant uncertainties .”
“ Operating in a global leading mining jurisdiction that is Saskatchewan further proves the amazing advantage Foran is fortunate and grateful to have ,” Dan adds.
“ Companies in lower-risk jurisdictions should be rewarded with access to lower costs of capital, as well as lower discount rates applied to their valuation ,” Dan suggests. According to Dan, there are also several ESG-related challenges within the mining industry:
While implementing robust ESG practices is beginning to become a profitable scenario, companies embarking on these initiatives are not being compensated for the reduced future environmental risk.
“ Accessing a lower cost of capital will help make project development a less onerous reality, and it would also be a beacon for developers showing it is in their best interest to follow top ESG standards ,” he points out.
To promote and inspire mining companies to follow ESG practices, Dan thinks it is important to first make ESGfriendly regulations. Talking about this, he says, “ Another incentive that would benefit future push on ESG would be premium prices for producers that employ a robust ESG framework.”
“ This would value ESG-focused mines at higher levels than environmentally damaging operations and would again signal other companies to employ robust ESG practices .”
Dan has extensive global experience in the metals and mining sectors, including refined metals and concentrates trading, mining and smelting operations, and capital markets. When asked what advice he would give to aspiring entrepreneurs based on his experience in the industry, he proposed the following words of guidance.
“ Keep pushing the envelope and never take ‘No’ for an answer. In an industry that is set in its ways for the better
part of a century, it takes determination and persistence to break the mold and find a better way. ”
“ Pushing for change will benefit all stakeholders in the future as we all strive towards a decarbonizing solution ,” he added.
The Foran team is currently conducting an advanced exploration program at McIlvenna Bay, which includes underground development of an exploration decline and a planned bulk sample.
Following the receipt of all permit approvals and project financing, the company will begin construction of McIlvenna Bay based on its Feasibility Study parameters, with the first production expected in one and a half years once construction begins.
“ McIlvenna Bay is expected to be the centralized mill that could be expanded in phases as we continue to explore, define, and potentially develop near-mine deposits and more within a 50km radius ,” Dan reveals to us.
Speaking more about Foran’s grand future, he says, “ Our land package is over 1,450 km², providing us with the canvas to explore in a systematic way. The neighboring Flin Flon district has been operating for close to a century, and it is our vision to transform the Hanson Lake District into the next multi-decade mining camp .”
hrough the potency of progressive automation, T the mining industry is going through a significant transition. The way mining operations operate is changing significantly, from the use of robotics to the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning. By bolstering safety protocols, stimulating efficiency and profitability, facilitating predictive maintenance, permitting remote monitoring and control, trimming environmental impact, and promoting worker development, this wave of innovation is revolutionizing the sector.
In this article, we will explore how advanced automation is transforming mining operations and the benefits it brings!
The safety of the workers is one of the foremost concerns in mining operations. Traditional mining techniques frequently include dangerous surroundings, exposing miners to dangers including cave-ins, toxic fumes, and heavy machinery mishaps. Advanced automation is altering the game, though, by reducing the need for humans to do risky tasks. Robots with sensors and cameras can now be used to complete procedures in dangerous locations without the need for human personnel to be there. This greatly lowers the possibility of accidents and raises overall safety standards.
Automation has the potential to greatly enhance the efficiency and productivity of mining operations. With advanced robotics and AI, tasks that were once timeconsuming and labor-intensive can now be completed faster and with greater accuracy. For example, autonomous drilling systems can operate continuously without the need for breaks, resulting in higher drilling rates and increased ore extraction. Similarly, automated haulage systems can optimize routes, reducing idle time and maximizing the transportation of materials. These advancements lead to improved operational efficiency and higher productivity levels.
Maintenance is a crucial aspect of mining operations, as breakdowns and equipment failures can result in costly delays. However, traditional maintenance practices often rely on scheduled inspections or reactive repairs, which can be inefficient and time-consuming. Advanced automation allows for the implementation of predictive maintenance strategies, where sensors and data analytics are used to monitor equipment performance in real time. By analyzing patterns and detecting anomalies, potential issues can be identified before they lead to major failures. This proactive approach to maintenance minimizes downtime, extends equipment lifespan, and reduces maintenance costs.
Another significant benefit of advanced automation in mining operations is the ability to remotely monitor and control operations. With the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) devices and real-time data analytics, mining companies can gain comprehensive visibility into their operations, even from a remote location. This allows for continuous monitoring of key parameters such as production rates, energy consumption, and equipment performance. In case of any deviations or issues, immediate actions can be taken to rectify the situation. Remote monitoring and control enable efficient decision-making, timely interventions, and optimized resource allocation.
The mining industry has often faced criticism for its environmental impact, including deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. Advanced automation technologies offer opportunities to mitigate these concerns. For instance, autonomous vehicles and drones can be used for precise and efficient surveying and mapping, minimizing the need for ground disturbances. Furthermore, advanced AI algorithms can optimize resource utilization, reducing waste and energy consumption. By adopting these technologies, mining companies can minimize their ecological footprint and contribute to sustainable practices.
As mining operations become increasingly automated, the nature of the workforce required in the industry is also changing. While some traditional jobs may be replaced by machines, new roles are emerging that require skills in
robotics, AI, and data analysis. Mining companies are now investing in training programs to upskill their employees and equip them with the necessary knowledge to work alongside advanced automation technologies. This shift presents an opportunity for workforce development and transformation, leading to a more skilled and technologically adept workforce.
Mining operations have altered as a result of advanced automation, which has improved safety protocols, increased production and efficiency, implemented predictive maintenance techniques, allowed for remote monitoring and control, reduced environmental effects, and promoted workforce development. By utilizing disruptive solutions to streamline processes, lower worker dangers, and boost overall output. Incorporating cutting-edge automation technologies benefits the bottom line while also promoting environmentally friendly mining methods. Future mining operations can be anticipated to be safer, more effective, and more ecologically friendly as long as the sector continues to adopt these advancements.
Gold has always fascinated humanity. A solid yet soft metal, with its astonishing electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion, gold molds to the fancies of human wish and will.
Gold never loses its shine nor its worth. Apart from being a major investment commodity used in ornaments and jewelry, it is also a major component in electrical and technology applications. Today, each of our phones carries 0.034 grams of gold in it.
Extracting gold resources from earthen ores, called mining, is supposed by historians to be at least 7000 years old. Though nobody knows the exact era or the date of it, the entire Bronze Age was full of gold objects, and mining was all the rage then.
Starting as a manual separation process, today, gold mining has expanded into more complex extraction methods like cyanidation and carbon adsorption/desorption.
Gold is Canada's most valuable mined commodity. Currently mined in nine Canadian provinces and territories, Ontario and Quebec together form 71% share of the total mined gold production. Mining companies are advancing gold production to meet future demands.
Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is one of the fastest emerging gold exploration companies in Canada (the world's fifth-largest gold producer). With its recent partnership with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (the world's third-largest gold mining company by output), Maple Gold Mines has entered the big league.
Led by Matthew Hornor , President & CEO, Maple Gold is carrying out exploration and drill programs to grow resources, make new discoveries, and establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Mr. Hornor came out of the Ivanhoe world, where he learned from and worked closely with mining hall-of-famer Robert Friedland and is himself a disciplined entrepreneur and dealmaker.
Under his leadership, Maple Gold de-risked its flagship Douay gold project through focused exploration. It further entered into a transformative strategic and JV partnership with Canada's largest gold producer, Agnico, who has invested significant capital at both the project and corporate levels.
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The company has consolidated 400 km of highly prospective ground with a current 2.8 Moz gold resource at Douay that remains open for expansion laterally and at depth, as well as Agnico's under-explored, historic Joutel mining complex, which produced over 1.1 Moz of gold between 1974-1993. It is an exceptionally strong foundation for future value creation.
Maple Gold is actively exploring the multi-million-ounce Douay and past-producing, high-grade Joutel gold projects in a 50/50 Joint Venture with Agnico. It also holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine Property. The company is well-capitalized with $24M in treasury and $14M in remaining JV funding from Agnico.
In addition to controlling one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in one of the world's largest mineral-rich greenstone belts, Maple Gold has also assembled a technically strong and financially savvy management team and a Board of Directors comprised of mining industry veterans with significant Abitibi expertise.”
According to Mr. Hornor, people are one of the company's most valuable resources. When you add the technical horsepower that Agnico brings based on its successful track record of profitable and responsible mining in Quebec and a strong balance sheet with additional strategic funding available, Maple Gold maintains several critical advantages over its peers.
Speaking about the pandemic, Mr. Hornor says that the health and safety of his people and their communities remain the company's highest priority. The pandemic has led to adverse impacts on the Canadian and global economies, disruptions of financial markets, and created uncertainty regarding potential impacts to Maple Gold's supply chain and operations. Yet despite these negative effects, Maple Gold has achieved excellent operational performance by implementing strict health and safety protocols for its personnel/contractors and fostering a supportive and team-oriented culture that can adapt to rapidly changing working conditions.
Mr. Hornor feels that artificial intelligence that is being used to develop new exploration concepts from historical data and the continued automation of mining operations are among several technological advancements that will propel mining into the future.
Offering advice to the budding entrepreneurs who wish to enter into the mining space, he says that it is an incredibly rewarding career path that is not for the faint of heart. One really has to love this business in order to absorb the inevitable ups and downs of the commodity cycle. As the saying goes, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it!
As for Maple Gold's future plans, they have already announced that the Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 drill programs at Douay and a Phase I drill program at Eagle will be completed by the end of Q1 2022, with additional success-based follow-up drilling planned for later this year.
Finally, Mr. Hornor concludes on a strategic note, "With the gold industry's declining reserves and a dearth of higherquality multi-million-ounce projects, our strategy is to continue to grow our gold resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi."
ooking back at the changing ways
L of building infrastructure and instruments of daily use, obtain amounts of energy with the supply of agriculture and its fertilizers that produce almost all the food we produce and consume. Mining holds a major share of all the industries combined. From diamonds to gold to iron ores and oil mines, they have been beneficial for embracing technological innovations to help the industry continue playing a vital role in the country’s economy.
Mining goes back to prehistoric times when people first mined flint, which was ideal for tools and weapons in breaking into shards with sharp edges. All these profitable substances that are mined from the earth are called minerals, whilst the process is most popular as mining.
An industry like mining provides various raw materials for equipment used daily, from aluminum cans to electronic chips of cell phones and computers. It isn’t surprising to say mining is one of the human activities with the strongest and the widest environmental and social impact.
Thus, understanding the way of changing the landscape of the mining industry highlights the effects of the current challenges too.
Let’s dig in and learn more about it!
Different perspectives of local people’s preferences should be held as a priority in the decision-making process, with some qualitative responses. Experts in the mining industry have come up with various responses pointing to skepticism. The skepticism is common practice in
communities of mining is pre-planned; these often feel mining isn’t beneficial to them personally. The areas where is perceived to be a disruption to place attachment.
The widely recognized meaningful public participation is essential as it is key to ensuring the support of the community while securing a social license to operate. The experience of residents of consultation activities could be negative and would contribute to the mistrust of experts. Mistrust of mine operators from local communities concerning rehabilitation sites is a common chore.
Residents were supportive of mineral extraction in general, accompanied by the reworking of mine wastes. The reworking mines would create jobs and bring new people for the benefit of the local areas. Residents recognized the positive impact of mineral extraction with its role in local economic development.
Although, qualitative responses suggest that their support is the least in part due to the economic decline experienced since the loss of industry as opposed to necessarily being pre-mining. Industry supporters recognized mine waste as an important part of the heritage of culture and community pride. However, they are not necessarily in favor of being used to prevent e exploitation of waste. With contrasting to other perspectives, thereby residents placed little value on the potential for nature conservation associated with mine wastes.
Despite some consensus, mining heritage is equally important, while residents differ on how it should be prioritized against other considerations. The lack of vegetation on mined sites evokes negative impressions on the landscape quality with added degradation of landscape as viewed by the significant deleterious impact on the mineral extraction.
Nature enthusiasts expressed a tendency towards restoring the landscape to its pre-mining conditions, more natural landscapes being preferred to those that might seem to be managed with an approach in restoration projects. The projects where restoration for nature is often supported.
Environmentalists before the revegetation of mines, yet more time about the role mining has in shaping landscape
while recognizing the current ecological value of abandoned mines. It suggests a certain pragmatism of the role of industry in the economic development of the area, as of it is appropriate mitigation is in place to protect the environment.
As of today, any future society would have similar and even huge needs for water, food, and energy; hence, the availability of resources is to be ensured for future generations. Current economic growth is blindly exhausting available resources or missing to develop alternative means to provide them with future generations at the edge of starvation and extinction.
Basic ethics of inter-generational solidarity would further compromise development on sustainable development with a concept in an enlightening way.
Mining is a vast field of human activity that will go to respond to societal needs like fixing and improving the technosphere. Today, with additional responsibility comes the knowledge to make responsible management of resources and keep healthy ecosystems capable of supporting human society with quality life, now and in the future as well.
Current and emerging mining projects need to coordinate with all the stakeholders and have a firm hold on achieving legit legal and social approvals to be successful. Local communities, in particular, in deprived and poor regions, would share the wealth of mining and obtain from mining a positive effect in their lives.
To conclude,
Many residents view mining with heritage positively for its contribution to place, culture, and nature conservation. The research addressed the gap in long-term management while considering residents’ perspectives on relatively global interests while extracting metal from mine wasters.
The above-mentioned ways of understanding the changing landscape of the mining industry would seek a long-term strategy to acknowledge and balance competing needs while prioritizing water quality with sustainable restoration.
How Vineet Trakroo's Approach to Leadership Transforms Organizations!
The meaning of success varies from person to
person. Some may associate it with a prestigious job title or a substantial income, while others may relate it to accomplishing their personal objectives or experiencing gratification in their daily routines. Nevertheless, despite the varied definitions of success, there is a person who contends that clear communication is a critical factor in attaining it.
Meet Vineet Trakroo , CEO of Evolution Strategy Advisors LLP , a renowned entrepreneur and business transformation specialist who believes in the power of clear communication and a collaborative work environment. With over eight years of experience in consulting for operational strategy and business transformation, he has become an expert in re-engineering and scaling up B2C organizations. He provides consulting to midsize and large organizations on business transformation, marketing and sales strategy, and creating new businesses to deliver results.
For Vineet, the key to success lies in effective communication. He firmly believes that if people are given clear explanations of what is expected of them and why it matters, they can deliver exceptional results. By creating an environment that challenges them to work together and come up with innovative solutions, he empowers his team to achieve their full potential. He understands that every success builds momentum, driving three more projects and ultimately creating a culture of success.
But he knows that failure is a natural part of the business journey. As an entrepreneur, he has learned to look at what went wrong and how to correct it rather than giving up. He understands that turning failure into success is an essential
part of the growth process and that success ultimately becomes an attitude. With his unique approach to leadership and business transformation, Vineet Trakroo is changing the game, one project at a time.
In this story, we delve deep into Vineet's journey as an entrepreneur and consultant, exploring the insights and strategies that have driven his success!
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
Born to an engineer and doctor parent, I obviously had only two choices for a career. The choice I made was engineering over medical. That's where the journey started. But it soon moved away from marketing, a subject that was very dear to me. Mostly marketing has been associated with advertising, at least until early 2015, but my preference was always product management, strategy, and data analytics. This led to me managing over 50+ brands in 23 years for some of the leading corporations, including Usha International, CavinKare, Pidilite, Beiersdorf, Voltas, and ABB. Marketing electrical power projects to edible oil, soaps, condoms, shampoos, first aid dressings, hair dye, deo's, perfumes, adhesives, toasters, blenders, and more as CMO, VP, and Head Sales & Marketing. Managing the Indian subcontinent and a few international markets
As the width of products increased along with increasing geography, it became a constant endeavor to learn about new businesses and products quickly. I always looked for patterns of similarity between different businesses to learn quicker. Analytical thinking and breaking tough tasks into manageable elements have been my style of working. No challenge is big enough to solve; yes, it can be tough and take more time, but it cannot be impossible.
As a person, I would consider myself an introvert who is not fond of large gatherings and prefers not to be in the limelight. I am focused on what I do and seldom multitask. One wouldn't find me anywhere but at home on the weekend. As the role was high-pressure, one needed to unwind on the weekend in solace. I like to travel, enjoy good food, practice yoga, watch movies to relax, and take long walks.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company.
For 23 years, Vineet has worked in the consumer industry at different organizations as head of sales or marketing and finally exited corporate in 2013 as CMO and head of the strategy. He has worked with Cavinkare, Pidilite, and Usha International as Head of Marketing and at Beiersdorf and Postman Oils as Head of Sales and Marketing. Earlier years were spent in the electrical engineering industry with Voltas and ABB in EPC project management. Marketing, sales, joint ventures, creating innovative products, and either entering new businesses or revitalizing ones have been my forays in the corporate world prior to this startup.
In 2013, I started this company with a desire to crosspollinate growth ideas across industries and businesses.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
During my work life, I led many brands to large growth in a short time of less than a year. This led me to believe that growth is locked within the organization. It's not the competitors who limit a brand's or a product's growth; it's internal factors, which could be our assumptions, blind spots, and ability to think outside the box.
Post-2010, we have seen companies move from quarter-toquarter results with less time for long-term planning. The startup and VC cultures also desired quick results while the products were getting commoditized. There had to be a new way to grow and identify the internal blocks. Over the years, we have created and perfected a new way to unlock growth. The growth is driven by better ideas and execution, and the business is run on data and insights with strong monitoring. With the increased availability of data, it has become easier to drive and course correct the business today than it was 10 years ago. The question is: are corporations aware of how to unlock this?
What has made you successful? What do you value?
The one quality that has given me success is clear communication of what is desired and why. We believe the average person can deliver exceptional results if we can explain to him why and how it will help him or her. Most people want to grow and learn. Creating an environment that challenges them and gets them to team up with colleagues to come up with solutions is what drives success. One success is enough to drive three more projects, and that's how success becomes an attitude. Of course, failure does happen too, but like an entrepreneur, one should look at what to correct to turn the failure into a success rather than throwing the baby away with the bathwater.
Which are the major services of the company, and how do they help the company to get ahead in the competition? What value-added services does the company provide?
Evolution Strategy Advisors LLP is primarily a growth consulting service and has offerings that are categorized into four verticals:
● Business Transformation: Restructuring and transforming organizations to grow. Here, we work with organizations to offer exponential growth and restructuring of operations. The functions impacted include strategy, marketing, sales, HR, organization structure, supply chain, and digitization and analytics. We enable the client's team to deliver through our constant support and mentoring during the execution phase.
● Business Diagnostics: Identifying issues that are holding back the growth of a business or a division organizations face bottlenecks to growth despite having the right product and setup. Here we go deeper into each product category to unlock growth and drive the same with the client. Here, we also introduce new products.
● Executional Excellence: In sales, marketing, brand management, and analytics. We cater to organizations that are looking at new approaches to marketing or sales operations and GTM to grow. We rework brands and their positioning, identify new markets or growth areas, and design a sharper route to markets with improved delivery and efficiency.
● Licensing and alliances bring international brands to India for JVs and licensing with Indian companies.
We have been associated with many international brands like Coty, Honeywell, Westinghouse, etc., and have ties with leaders in the field of licensing.
What are the most important aspects of a company's culture? What principles do you believe in, and how do you build this culture?
We have a very senior team who have spent over 25–35 years in the industry, and each has been a CXO or CEO with personal experience in turning around companies or growing them. They are self-motivated, and what drives them most is a new challenge. As we work across industries, it can be challenging at times to cross-pollinate ideas from one industry to another. The task of implementation is tough as companies have different cultures, and this requires maturity from the consultant. They have seen many ups and downs in their years of experience, so even recessionary or COVID challenges don't affect them.
Our values are quick results, practical, sincere, and factual; domain experience.
We offer quick turnaround times for growth to our clients, as our advice is practical and based on the experience of our team, which has domain experience in the client industry. Our advice is based on data and not gut feelings, and we do not over-promise as we partner with execution. We believe in having open and sincere relations with our clients, as that's what builds trust and a healthy execution.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Innovation leads to success and sometimes disruption if it starts happening regularly. There has to be some part of the business innovating and some part excelling in delivery. Product innovation or logistical or supply chain innovation, once decided, needs a system for implementation and achieving quicker success. Innovation doesn't happen everywhere and is rare. Good processes and systems can also help you deliver a better customer experience. They are both two parts of the same coin.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes.
Heroics may give direction and a vision, but you need people to execute them. It's not difficult to dream vs. the
ability to execute. Processes are required eventually when you have mastered the key to getting results. However, no process is permanent, as all products and services have a finite life. As consumers demand more, one needs to evolve; that can't happen in the same process unless we build innovation into our processes and delivery. We believe success comes through systems, practice, and continuous improvement.
What are your responsibilities as the Founder/CEO of the company? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
As the founder and CEO, I am responsible for all the functions and the smooth running of the company. But the most important role that I play is in business development and managing client relationships. The most enjoyable part of the day is working on clients' business challenges that seem difficult to solve and interacting with clients in solving them.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
When one enters the role of a leader, it's a responsibility as you are responsible for the success of your team. Thus it's important that one builds bridges with all team members and understands their strengths and capabilities so they can deliver and prosper. A leader is only as strong as his team. An open culture that is open to critique helps identify issues and solutions, but once decisions are taken, there has to be clear responsibility for delivery. There is no better support for decision-making than data.
One success is enough to drive three more projects, and that's how success becomes an attitude. Of course, failure does happen, but like an entrepreneur, one should look at what to correct to turn the failure into a success rather than throw the baby out with the bathwater.
