In this podcast, we discuss, educate and talk about industry news and hot topics, company reviews and live interviews with mining professionals and leading figures in the mining industry. Introducing your host Rob Tyson, Founder and Director of Mining International, a leading recruitment and headhunting agency based in the UK specialising in mining across the globe. We source and discover new talent to fill those difficult or challenging vacancies our clients have.
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In this podcast, we discuss, educate and talk about industry news and hot topics, company reviews and live interviews with mining professionals and leading figures in the mining industry. Introducing your host Rob Tyson, Founder and Director of Mining International, a leading recruitment and headhunting agency based in the UK specialising in mining across the globe. We source and discover new talent to fill those difficult or challenging vacancies our clients have.
Pioneering Lithium Production in the U.S. Amidst Rising Demand
Dig Deep
32 minutes
1 month ago
Pioneering Lithium Production in the U.S. Amidst Rising Demand
In this episode, we're joined by Kevin Smith, Non-Executive Director at IRIS Metals, an ASX-listed company involved in lithium exploration in the historic Black Hills district of South Dakota. With one of the largest hard-rock lithium landholdings in the U.S., IRIS Metals is positioning itself at the heart of America’s drive for a domestic supply of critical minerals.
In our conversation, we’ll explore how IRIS is balancing exploration risk with surging lithium demand, and what sets the company apart in attracting capital and partnerships. We’ll also take an educational lens, discussing the unique challenges of developing projects in the U.S. compared to more traditional mining jurisdictions.
Kevin will share his insights on navigating the highs and lows of commodity cycles, advice for juniors aiming to transition from exploration to development, and the broader outlook for lithium and critical minerals
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The company is strategically positioned to be the first and largest lithium producer in the U.S. by the end of the decade, with a quick path to market due to its brownfields project
Iris Metals is focusing on brownfields projects on private ground to minimise exploration risk and expedite the transition from exploration to production
The lithium market is currently experiencing a downturn, with prices having dropped significantly from previous highs
Iris Metals is actively engaging with investors and the local community, emphasising its commitment to responsible mining practices and economic growth
BEST MOMENTS
"We think that we can be the first and the largest lithium producer in the U.S. to come online here before the end of the decade."
"Lithium is an immature market because it's a product that has not been widely used or adopted in industry like copper, lead, zinc."
"We have a unique opportunity set, a captive market in audience in customer base. We're one of the few people that can deliver and execute on that."
"The path to production is approximately 18 months from here... we think we have some good government support, some good commercial support from large strategic partners."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Mail: rob@mining-international.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast
Web: http://www.mining-international.org
GUEST SOCIALS
https://irismetals.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/iris-metals-ltd/
https://x.com/IrisMetals
CONTACT METHOD
rob@mining-international.org
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/
Podcast Description
Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
Dig Deep
In this podcast, we discuss, educate and talk about industry news and hot topics, company reviews and live interviews with mining professionals and leading figures in the mining industry. Introducing your host Rob Tyson, Founder and Director of Mining International, a leading recruitment and headhunting agency based in the UK specialising in mining across the globe. We source and discover new talent to fill those difficult or challenging vacancies our clients have.
