Minerals - Discovery to Recovery

The future of geoscience is being shaped by our students. In this episode host Joy Carter showcases two top student entries. We're diving into emerging technologies and exploring how they may shape our industry in the years ahead. First we are featuring the first place team from the University of Toronto in Canada about a topic on everyone's mind these days, artificial intelligence. This is the third and final episode highlighting the SEG 2025 Student Podcast Challenge and we finish it with the team from the University of Namibia and their take on the 'Mineral Mindset'. 
SEG 2026 Student Podcast Challenge
Chapter 1: The Evolution of Mineral Exploration Tools & AI’s Role in the Future
University of Toronto
Host Eve Carrothers
In this episode of Geochronicles, host Eve Carrothers, a master’s student in economic geology at the University of Toronto, explores how new tools in mineral exploration often face scepticism before becoming standard practice, drawing parallels between early geophysical and geochemical instruments and the current debate surrounding Artificial Intelligence. Joined by Professors Andrei Swidinsky (geophysics) and Dan Gregory (geochemistry), Eve discusses the historical reception of tools like magnetometers, gravimeters, and petrographic microscopes, showing how resistance to change has long been part of the geoscientific journey. The conversation then shifts to AI, examining how it mirrors the same cycle of doubt and eventual acceptance seen with past innovations. The guests share their thoughts on how AI may transform mineral exploration in the coming decades, while also offering advice to geoscientists who may be hesitant to adopt it. The episode encourages a thoughtful, informed approach to new technology, reminding listeners that many of today’s essential tools were once met with uncertainty. 
This podcast features the song “Beer Blues” by Koi-discovery, available under a Creative Commons Universal Licence.

Chapter 2: The Mineral Mindset
University of Namibia
Host Ama Geingos
with Guests  Senamile Dlamini, Ndinelago Johannes, Obey Haufiku, Eli Kaushiningwa, Eunice Kamosho
The Mineral Mindset podcast, presented by the UNAM Society of Economic Geologists Student Chapter, explores the rising demand for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. The discussion highlights how these critical minerals power modern technologies, the role of new exploration methods like AI and drone technology, and the environmental challenges associated with mining. Future trends, including recycling, urban mining, and alternative resources, are also examined. The discussion also underscores the geopolitical and economic implications of the growing demand for critical minerals, as nations and industries compete for access to these essential resources. Speakers stress the need for responsible mining practices, stricter regulations, and government-industry collaboration to ensure long-term sustainability. As the world transitions toward greener energy and advanced technologies, the role of geologists and mining professionals becomes even more crucial in balancing resource extraction with environmental stewardship.  Moreover, insights into sustainable mining practices, such as gas turbines, water treatment, and eco-friendly extraction methods are discussed. Finally, episode wraps up with a call to action, encouraging young geologists to embrace innovation and drive positive change in the field.
 
 
Come join us in Salt Lake City, Utah for SEG 2026, September 30th to October 3rd. 
You can expect world-class technical content, including iconic ore deposits and the geological processes of North American Cordillera. The program balances applied case studies, framework geology, and technological innovation. The conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of economic geology. See you there.

What is the potential for copper mineralization in the northern Peruvian Andes?  Could uranium be important in the future of South America?   Today's episode features two of the top SEG 2025 Student Podcast Challenge entries.  First, we are featuring the third place team from the competition, the students at the National University of Engineering in Lima, Peru. 
SEG 2026 Student Podcast Challenge
Chapter 1: The potential for copper mineralization in the northern Peruvian Andes: Support for the sustainable green energy transition
National University of Engineering in Lima, Peru.
Hosts,  Milagros Del Rosario De la Cruz Chanco and Erick Ronaldo Romani Pongo 
Production Team, Jean Pierre Avendaño Quispe, Felipe Ramiro Robles Salvador, Antonio Chavez Anccasi, Nicolas Valentino Bances Camacho, Jhonny Angelo Urbano Ramos, Lorena Naydelin Rojas Hernandez, Jerry Junnior Ramirez Guadalupe 
We address Peru's role in the global energy transition and its relevance as the world's third largest copper producer, with 10% of the world's reserves. The southern region dominates production, while the north, despite hosting important projects, remains underdeveloped due to socio-environmental conflicts, lack of infrastructure and a historical bias in exploration. 
Geologist Pedro Reyes proposes three strategies to reverse this situation: expanding exploration in poorly studied areas, analysing geological transitions between epithermal and porphyry deposits, and evaluating new mineralised styles in the north. He also stresses that the success of these projects depends not only on technical aspects, but also on adequate social management. Finally, he emphasizes that the future of the sector depends on innovation and the training of new generations capable of discovering and exploiting Peru's enormous copper potential, especially in the northern Andes.
Chapter 2: Uranium in Latin America: Powering the Future?
University of El Paso Texas
Hosts,  Paola Salas, Aaron Atkins and Bardo Tavizon
Editor, Daniel Castano Madrigal
In this episode Paola, Bardo, and Aaron, representing the SEG Student Chapter at UTEP, dive into the exciting possibilities of uranium in shaping the region's energy landscape. Their discussion highlights its vital role as a low-carbon alternative in our global energy mix. While it's true that the public often associates nuclear energy with past disasters and weapons, the hosts shine a light on the technological advancements that are making nuclear energy safer and more sustainable today.
The conversation shifts to the immense potential of Latin America, with Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina standing out as key players due to their uranium reserves and growing interest in nuclear power. Yet, they also address the challenges ahead, including environmental concerns, political instability, and public scepticism. The presenters stress the importance of responsible mining, open communication, and investment in education to tackle these issues. In the end, they present uranium as a promising avenue toward a cleaner energy future, provided we approach its development thoughtfully and inclusively.
SEG Minerals - Discovery to Recovery  theme music is Confluence, by Eastwinds.
Eastwinds
Come join us in Salt Lake City, Utah for SEG 2026, September 30th to October 3rd. 
You can expect world-class technical content, including iconic ore deposits and the geological processes of North American Cordillera. The program balances applied case studies, framework geology, and technological innovation. The conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of economic geology. See you there.

What does it mean to be a geologist and an explorer? With introductions by Joy Carter, this is the first of three special episodes.  We hear from two individuals with a rich history in geology and exploration, how the industry has changed throughout their careers and their advice to geologists. 
These episodes were top entries from the Society of Economic Geologists’ 2025 Student Podcast Challenge.  The 2026 competition is now underway! Submissions are due August 21, 2026.  For information check out the SEG website 
SEG 2026 Student Podcast Challenge
Chapter 1:  From Field to Verse: Exploration Geopoetry
Universidad Central del Ecuador
Host  Stalyn Paucar 
Cohosts and production Eslendy Zurita and Dálember Vallejo 
Martin Litherland, born in 1945, had a remarkable career as a geologist. After earning his PhD from Liverpool University in 1970 for his research of Dalradian rocks in Scotland, he joined the British Geological Survey. This role led him to explore vast, uncharted regions of Africa, and South America. In Bolivia he ventured into the legendary “Lost World” of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; in Ecuador he led the Cordillera Real Project. His efforts in mapping the Cordillera Real revealed unexpected geological un-Andean features that challenged conventional knowledge. 
He wrote many scientific papers, memoirs, and geological maps, and in 1993, Queen Elizabeth II honored him with the The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Throughout his career, he sometimes felt limited by the formal style of scientific writing, which focuses on data and analysis rather than personal expression. After retiring, Litherland found a new passion in poetry, using it to convey not only his deep connection to geology but also his reflections on various aspects of life.
Chapter 2: From Outcrop to Ore Deposit
University of British Columbia 
Host Maya Saldanha
Welcome to From Outcrop to Ore Deposit, the episode where we dive into the world of economic geology: research, fieldwork, and the people shaping the next generation of geologists.
Maya Saldanha is joined by Dr. Kenneth Hickey, the Director of UBC’s field school and an expert in ore deposit geology. We’ll chat about his journey from working at the Karangahake mine in New Zealand as a fresh grad to running field courses in the Okanagan Valley, in British Columbia, Canada. Ken shares why field-based learning is so important, how geoscience education is evolving, and what it really takes to prepare students for the fast-changing world of mineral exploration.
If you're curious about how geology is taught, what makes a great field school, or how we bridge the gap between academia and industry, this one’s for you. Let’s get into it!
Music is ‘Jamcito - Cumbia Deli’ from Youtube Audio Library
Theme music for SEG Discovery to Recovery is Confluence, by Eastwinds.
Eastwinds
 
Come join us in Salt Lake City, Utah for SEG 2026, September 30th to October 3rd. 
You can expect world-class technical content, including iconic ore deposits and the geological processes of North American Cordillera. The program balances applied case studies, framework geology, and technological innovation. The conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of economic geology. See you there.

Host Maxwell Porter is joined by two experts to explore the geological and tectonic evolution of the iconic Laramide Porphyry Copper Province, focusing on its complex geodynamic history and the key exploration criteria that define this world-class copper belt. Our guests share complementary academic and industry perspectives, offering insights drawn from decades of research and field experience.
The Geological Framework and Exploration vectors in the Globe-Miami District
Our first guest is Dr. Robert Lee. Robert earned his PhD at Oregon State University studying the El Salvador porphyry copper deposit in Chile. He then joined Freeport-McMoRan as a greenfields exploration geologist working across North America, the Philippines, and Europe. In 2014, he moved to UBC’s MDRU, leading and contributing to research projects on tools to vector towards economic ore deposits, across the Western Tethyan Belt to the Andes and British Columbia. Since 2022, Robert has been a Principal Geoscientist with BHP’s Generative Porphyry Copper team. His expertise centers on porphyry copper formation, mineral chemistry, and innovative tools for exploration, including zircon as a vector to ore.
Tectonic controls on porphyry deposit formation in Arizona
Our second guest is Professor Thomas Lamont. Thomas is a structural geologist and petrologist whose work links tectonics, crustal evolution, and the formation of major ore systems. His research combines field mapping with advanced analytical tools, from EPMA and thermobarometry to isotopic and geochronological techniques. He completed his DPhil at the University of Oxford, investigating how the Cycladic Islands in Greece evolved from a compressional to an extensional tectonic regime. In a later postdoctoral role, he focused on the Laramide porphyry province of the southwestern United States, showing how flat-slab subduction drove water-fluxed melting and porphyry copper formation. Thomas now leads research into how subduction geometry shapes the thermal and mechanical state of the lithosphere and its mineral endowment in addition to other topics, as an assistant professor of Structural Geology and Tectonics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Many thanks to VRIFY for sponsoring Season 5 of Discovery to Recovery.
Theme music is  Confluence by Eastwinds
eastwindsmusic.com 
Come join us in Salt Lake City, Utah for SEG 2026, September 30th to October 3rd. 
You can expect world-class technical content, including iconic ore deposits and the geological processes of North American Cordillera. The program balances applied case studies, framework geology, and technological innovation. The conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of economic geology. See you there.

Host Anne Thompson explores the diverse and innovative methods being employed in Australia to build and retain the technical workforce in the mining industry.  From attracting new talent, to supporting early career geoscientists, to training professionals from other industries - this episode might just change your perspective on what is possible.
First up, Brendan Howard, General Manager for Technical Capability at Rio Tinto and a founder of the MiEX (Minerals Industry Experience) Program, addresses the mining sector’s shrinking and less diverse talent pipeline. The success of MiEX, a collaborative industry-led program, highlights the value of early engagement with undergraduate students. The pilot in January 2025 drew over 500 applicants for 69 places with 90% of participants expressing intent to pursue mining careers.  New conversations are underway in North America to bring this exciting opportunity to more students.
Richard Lilly, the University of Adelaide presents NExUS (National Exploration Undercover School) based in South Australia, which provides hands-on experience and essential training to geoscience students, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements. NExUS combines technical learning with professional networking, using the South Australian Drill Core Library and nearby field sites to expose students to geophysics, core logging, and exploration through cover. Lilly is now stepping down after 10 years as Director, with the hope that this successful model will continue and be expanded to other jurisdictions to better prepare geoscientists for evolving exploration challenges.
Lastly, Deng Ngang Deng, from Target Mining Resources, shares his inspiring journey from South Sudan to professional geoscientist in Western Australia.  Deng was involved in establishing the Pan Africa Resource Reporting Code (PARC) and an invited plenary speaker at SEG 2024 in Namibia. At home in Australia, he has developed an innovative approach to training and employing geoscientists and other technical mining workers.  Initiated during the pandemic, the company continues to expand and add to their portfolio of skills they train for, successfully filling a gap in mining recruitment.
Many thanks to Avo Media for production support.  
Theme music is Confluence by Eastwinds
eastwindsmusic.com 
Come join us in Salt Lake City, Utah for SEG 2026, September 30th to October 3rd. 
You can expect world-class technical content, including iconic ore deposits and the geological processes of North American Cordillera. The program balances applied case studies, framework geology, and technological innovation. The conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of economic geology. See you there.