Responsible Raw Materials Podcast

Anne Thompson is a geologist, mineralogist, and self-described snake that sheds its skin. Over four decades she has worked as an exploration field geologist in Australia and the Southwest Pacific, built and sold an applied mineralogy consulting company, helped produce the Atlas of Alteration, and served on the council of the Society of Economic Geologists. She also hosts her own podcast, Discovery...

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Caroline Tiddy, Chief Scientific Officer at MinEx CRC and Associate Professor of Geosciences at Adelaide University.  From her beginnings in rural Australia to an unconventional pathway through chemistry and geology, Caroline shares how she found her niche in geochemistry, and why she initially resisted economic geology altogether. Reflecting on pivotal...

What if the key to sustainable metals, minerals, and nutrient recovery has been growing in front of us all along? In this episode of Responsible Raw Materials, Professor Caitlin Byrt and Dr Samantha McGaughey from the Australian National University reveal how plant biology is inspiring breakthrough technologies that can extract critical resources from industrial and urban waste. From salt‑tolerant...

From the Arctic tundra of northern Quebec to the laboratories and boardrooms shaping the future of critical minerals, Dr Pim van Geffen’s career has been driven by curiosity, and a passion for understanding the materials that underpin modern society. In this episode of the  Responsible Raw Materials   podcast, Pim shares the experiences that sparked and sustained his fascination with geology and g...

This episode of  Responsible Raw Materials  explores what happens when psychology meets geochemistry. Joining us is Dutch psychologist and behavioural scientist Prof. Geertje Schuitema whose career has spanned research into electric vehicle adoption, smart energy technologies, and, more recently, the societal challenges surrounding critical raw materials.  From tackling ‘range anxiety’ in the earl...

In this episode, Sarah Gordon speaks with sustainability expert John Howchin about the powerful role finance plays in shaping the future of mining and raw materials. With decades of experience working at the intersection of investment and sustainability, John reflects on how the real leverage for change lies not just with operators, but with the owners of capital.   From the early days of ESG and...

In this episode, we sit down with Madhurii Sarkar Amoda, a leading voice in community development, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable mining practices in Nigeria.  From growing up in Lagos to navigating the cultural complexities of rural mining communities, Madhurii shares her remarkable journey into the mining sector and the lessons she’s learned building trust between corporations, governme...

In this episode, we speak with Louise, an environmental and social leader in mining, about her journey from growing up in an Australian coal community to working across 50+ countries - and ultimately finding her place in the raw materials sector. Driven by a desire to create real-world impact, she shares why she moved from development and consultancy into operations, joining Thor Explorations as i...

In this episode, Sarah Gordon speaks with Laura Mallabone, Regional Director of Satarla, South Africa, and chemical engineer turned risk and sustainability specialist, about the critical role of risk management in shaping responsible mining. From her early career in engineering and insurance to working within major mining companies, Laura shares how her perspective evolved - and why integrating ri...

In this episode, Sarah Gordon speak with Josephine Weston about the future of mining, sustainability, and the energy transition. Originally from Perth, Jo shares her journey into environmental engineering and discusses the growing importance of mine rehabilitation, cultural engagement, and collaborative decision-making across the mining sector. We also explore the Capital Matters initiative - a pr...

The Responsible Raw Materials podcast explores the systems, decisions, and people behind the materials that underpin modern life. Hosted by geologist and sustainability specialist Sarah Gordon, this series takes a deep dive into the complex, interconnected world of raw materials - spanning mining, recycling, agriculture, finance, policy, and community impact. From the buildings we live in to the t...