http://www.pintsizemedia.co.za Welcome to The Mining Pulse, the digital intelligence platform where the African mining industry finds its heartbeat. Hosted by James and Graeme, this is the dedicated space where specialists gather to run the diagnostics on the projects, people, and technologies shaping the future of global resources. In a sector often defined by static databases and cold technical reports, we provide the situational context that spreadsheets can’t capture. We move beyond generic marketing and "snake oil" solutions to bring you authentic, data-driven insights into project lifecycles, operational realities, and the "unlikely stories" of the pioneers bushwhacking the path forward. From deep dives into commodity fundamentals and automation to navigating ESG foundations and jurisdictional risks, we bridge the gap between information and execution. Whether you are an investor, an OEM, or a site manager, tune in to move from a speculative cold call to a warm, informed partnership. Stay sharp. Stay informed. Stay on the pulse. Business en Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:46:01 +0200 Tue, 12 May 2026 11:04:13 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 Pint Size Media no Monthly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p239/logo_9884_20260326_224608_1400.jpeg http://www.pintsizemedia.co.za Welcome to The Mining Pulse, the digital intelligence platform where the African mining industry finds its heartbeat. Pint Size Media episodic Pint Size Media janet@janetgericke.com false ZA https://iono.fm/e/1674919 https://iono.fm/e/1674919
How does a diamond deposit go from being a "marginal" prospect to a source of the world's most valuable stones?
In this episode of The Mining Pulse, we run the diagnostics on Karowe Mine.
We are joined once again by James Campbell, who was at the heart of the team that recognized the true potential of the AK6 kimberlite when others were ready to walk away.
This is a masterclass in technical resilience and geological intuition. James breaks down the shift in mindset required to move from a "large-scale/low-value" model to recognizing the rare, high-value Type IIa populations that define Karowe today.
In this episode, we diagnose:
•The "Marginal" Trap: How early sampling led to a massive undervaluation of the AK6 pipe.
•Technical Pivots: The shift from traditional grease belts to XRT (X-ray Transmission) technology and how it saved the largest stones from being crushed.
•The Geological Signature: Understanding the "South Lobe" and why its mineral chemistry was a vital sign of world-class potential.
•Junior vs. Major Mindsets: Why the flexibility of a junior mining team was the "medicine" needed to unlock Karowe's value.
•The Future Frontier: Why James believes there are still "Sleeping Giants" in Africa waiting for geologists with a "glass box" approach.
Stay sharp.
Stay informed.
Stay on the pulse.
🩺⛏️ ]]> Business Tue, 12 May 2026 11:03:00 +0200 0 0 The Karowe Diagnostic: Unlocking a Diamond Giant 0 0 Pint Size Media full 40:10 The Mining Pulse https://iono.fm/e/1673665 https://iono.fm/e/1673665
Tailings are often treated as the "magic table" of mining—waste goes in, and the industry hopes it disappears. But when that "table" fails, the impact on communities and the environment is devastating. In this episode of The Mining Pulse, we sit down with Craig Walter and Phildre Lotta from Fraser Alexander to strip back the technical complexity of one of mining’s highest-profile challenges.
With a combined 60+ years of experience, Craig and Phildre explain why the tailings industry is undergoing a fundamental shift: moving from "out of sight, out of mind" waste disposal to treating mine waste as a potential future resource.
In this episode, we run the diagnostics on:
•From Liability to Legacy: How the industry is pivoting from simple "waste management" to secondary mineral recovery—unlocking millions from the very material previously considered worthless.
•The GISTM Standard: Why the "I didn't know" defense is dead, and how global accountability standards are reshaping board-level decision-making.
•Engineering the Future: We unpack the science of wet vs. dry-stack tailings and why a "one-size-fits-all" engineering approach is a recipe for disaster.
•Water Management: The technical and logistical fight to recover water in a climate-constrained world.
•The Next Generation: Why the future of tailings requires a multi-disciplinary army of geotechnical experts, social scientists, and innovative thinkers.
This is the "Critical Readout" on the discipline that keeps the industry’s heartbeat stable.

Stay sharp,
stay informed,
and stay on the pulse. ]]> Business Thu, 07 May 2026 16:51:00 +0200 0 0 Mine Waste to Millions: The Tailings Revolution 0 0 Pint Size Media full 54:22 The Mining Pulse https://iono.fm/e/1672666 https://iono.fm/e/1672666
How does the "heartbeat" of an African mine reach the global market? In this episode of The Mining Pulse, we run diagnostics on the growing disconnect between global purchasers and upstream mineral producers. We sit down with JJ from IRMA to unpack how responsible sourcing standards are becoming the new baseline for industrial operational excellence. We move past the buzzwords to define what ESG actually looks like when it hits the supply chain—from Tier 1 purchasers down to Tier 12 at the mine gate. JJ explains why authentic community relationships and independent, third-party verification are now the "jet fuel" for building the trust necessary to keep minerals flowing into modern civilization. In this episode, we diagnose:

The Visibility Gap: Why downstream buyers often have zero line-of-sight past Tier 3, and how independent standards are closing that gap.
The Safety Analogy: Why ESG is currently in the same "irritating add-on" phase that safety was 30 years ago before it became core to business.
The IRMA Scoreboard: How mines are using global standards as a roadmap for excellence, often finding unexpected operational efficiencies. Security of Supply: Why social license to operate is inextricably linked to maintaining mineral flow for global energy and tech transitions. The Trust Deficit: Why PR spin is no longer enough to satisfy investors or local communities.

Stay sharp.
Stay informed.
Stay on the pulse. ]]> Business Tue, 05 May 2026 13:56:00 +0200 0 0 The Sourcing Diagnostic: Bridging the Gap Between Mines and Global Buyers 0 0 Pint Size Media full 55:54 The Mining Pulse https://iono.fm/e/1667639 https://iono.fm/e/1667639 In this episode of The Mining Pulse, we run a diagnostic on the current state of mining technology.
We sit down with PJ Peters, founder of DigiRock Innovations, to cut through the marketing fluff surrounding the Fourth Industrial Revolution and get to what actually works on the ground.
PJ brings a unique "boots-on-the-ground" perspective—starting as a process engineer and evolving into an IT integration specialist. He explains why digitalization isn't a silver-bullet product you buy, but a "journey" of gaining visibility and making better decisions.
In this episode, we run the diagnostics on:
•Automation vs. Digitalization: Why a plant can be fully automated but still suffer from a "data dark age."
•The "Small Starts" Strategy: How to use Proof of Concepts (POCs) to gain immediate value rather than chasing costly, all-encompassing "fairytale" transformations.
•The Flywheel Effect: How incremental wins in equipment monitoring, logbook digitization, and predictive alerts build the momentum necessary for long-term digital maturity.
•Beyond the Spreadsheet: Solving the culture of "Excel-dependency" and how to bring data into one single, consolidated environment.
•The AI Frontier: How LLMs and "Prompt Engineering" are changing the way junior engineers interact with historic mine data.
Whether you’re in the boardroom or the control room, this episode is a blueprint for moving your operation from reactive scrambling to proactive insight.

Stay sharp, stay informed, and stay on the pulse. ]]> Business Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:46:00 +0200 0 0 The Digital Mine: AI, Data & the Future of African Mining 0 0 Pint Size Media full 1:06:38 The Mining Pulse https://iono.fm/e/1665826 https://iono.fm/e/1665826 In this episode of The Mining Pulse, we take the temperature of one of the most adventurous exploration stories we’ve ever heard. We move beyond the technical data to unpack the sheer resilience required to explore the "heartbeat" of rural Mozambique—a journey involving light aircraft crashes, boat shipwrecks, and the "natural selection" of mineral sands.
In this episode, we run the diagnostics on:
•The Founder's Journey: How a search for French-born crayfish led to the discovery of a heavy mineral sands deposit with 80% total heavy minerals.
•Technical Vital Signs: Unpacking the early results—exceptional grades of Zircon, Titanium (up to 38% TiO2), and Rare Earths.
•Operational Reality: The logistical "fever" of Mozambique—dealing with a lack of infrastructure, six-year licensing timelines, and the critical importance of local community legacies.
•Resilience & Risk: Peter and Damian share what it’s like to survive a night-time plane crash and rebuild engines on remote riverbanks just to keep the project alive.
•This is a story about the "gumption" it takes to explore where others won't. As Peter notes, "It won’t be easy, but it will be the most amazing adventure of your life".
Stay sharp.
Stay informed.
Stay on the pulse. ]]> Business Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:08:00 +0200 0 0 The Mozambique Bet: Exploration, Risk & Raw Discovery 0 0 Pint Size Media full 40:26 The Mining Pulse https://iono.fm/e/1661858 https://iono.fm/e/1661858 The diamond industry was forged under pressure, but right now the entire sector is feeling a different kind of squeeze. In this episode of The Mining Pulse, we run a full diagnostic on the "heartbeat" of African diamonds with one of the world's most respected experts, James Campbell. With over three decades of experience, spanning leadership roles at De Beers, Lucara, and the discovery of the legendary Karowe mine, James provides a critical readout on a market facing significant volatility. We move past the marketing gloss to examine the raw data: from global price drops and inventory oversupply to the shifting demand in major consumer markets.
In this episode, we take the pulse on:

Market Vital Signs: Are major producers like Botswana, Namibia, and Angola stable, or is leadership in the sector shifting?
The Lab-Grown Factor: Is the rise of synthetic stones a permanent demand displacement or a short-term pricing challenge for Africa's natural producers?
The Value Capture Battle: How successful have beneficiation efforts really been in keeping cutting, polishing, and jewellery manufacturing value on the continent?
Tech & Trust: The role of blockchain and digital tracking in securing the provenance and emotional appeal of natural stones.
The 5-Year Prognosis: What will the diamond landscape look like in 2030, and how can diamond-dependent economies remain resilient?

As the diagnostic concludes, the pulse may have slowed, but the patient is far from terminally ill. Whether you're an investor, an operator, or an industry follower, this is the essential briefing on the future of the world's most precious resource.
Stay sharp. Stay informed. Stay on the pulse. ]]> Business Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:52:00 +0200 0 0 Commodities: Diamonds "Africa's Diamond Boom, Bust & Lab-Grown Threats" 0 0 Pint Size Media full 55:13 The Mining Pulse https://iono.fm/e/1660521 https://iono.fm/e/1660521 Mining is "incredibly relational," yet the industry is often starved of the human context behind the data. James and Graeme discuss the mission of the show: to provide a "critical readout" for the sector by humanizing project data and showcasing the real people behind the continent's most ambitious developments.
In this episode, we cover:
•The "Vital Signs" Concept: Why the industry needs a dedicated platform for technical and strategic diagnostics.
•Beyond the Spreadsheet: How we use long-form conversation to help listeners see the "color of the eyes" of project leaders.
•What’s Coming: A look at our upcoming segments, including the Founder Series, Project Deep Dives, and Supplier Spotlights.
•The Projects IQ Connection: How this podcast integrates with a broader ecosystem of digital intelligence to provide a true Return on Investment for subscribers and partners.
Join us as we take the first step in moving the industry from a cold call to a warm partnership. ]]> Business Thu, 26 Mar 2026 22:46:00 +0200 0 0 Episode 01 - Pilot 0 0 Pint Size Media full 13:58 The Mining Pulse