The Future of Copper Mining Through District Scale Consolidation | Makor Resources Ricus Grimbeek

In this episode, we chat with Ricus Grimbeek, an experienced mining executive with more than three decades of leadership across major mining operations and Executive Chair of Makor Resources, a company focused on building a district-scale copper platform in Zambia. Throughout the conversation, we explore what attracted Ricus to Makor at this stage of his career, why he believes Zambia remains one of the most misunderstood copper opportunities globally, and how long-term consolidation strategies differ from the traditional junior mining model. We also discuss the realities of building scalable mining businesses, the importance of social licence and stakeholder alignment, and what separates projects with genuine scale potential from those driven purely by market narrative. In addition, Ricus shares his thoughts on one of mining’s biggest long-term challenges, responsibly integrating artisanal and small-scale mining into the broader mining economy through initiatives like Mine-Hive and why the industry must rethink how future copper supply is discovered, developed, and delivered if it’s going to meet growing global demand over the coming decades. This episode is brought to you by Mining International, a global executive search partner to the mining industry. For bespoke search and advisory services, please visit https://www.mining-international.org/ 🔔Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to this channel to watch MORE CONTENT like this one & Hit the NOTIFICATION BELL to be notified when a new video is live🔔 @DigDeepTheMiningPodcast LETS CONNECT ON SOCIALS: CONTACT METHODS - DIG DEEP THE MINING PODCAST Website: https://www.digdeeptheminingpodcast.com/ Instagram:   / theminingpodcast   LinkedIn:   / dig-deep-the-mining-podcast   X: https://x.com/digdeep_mining CONTACT METHODS - ROB TYSON Email: [email protected] Twitter: https://x.com/MiningRobTyson LinkedIn:   / rob-tyson   CONTACT METHODS - MINING INTERNATIONAL Website: https://www.mining-international.org/ LinkedIn:   / mining-international   X: https://x.com/MiningRobTyson GUEST SOCIALS: https://www.makorresources.com/   / makorresources     / makorresources      / @makorresources   ABOUT THE HOST Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first world to third world countries from Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Mining International source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace. Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce “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. As part of our aim to support mining professionals with career advice and resources, we’ve developed a free CV Tips Guide and a free Interview Preparation Guide. You can find them here: https://bit.ly/cv-tips-guide AND https://bit.ly/interview-prep-guide-m... #mining #miningpodcast #miningnews #podcast #digdeep #digdeeptheminingpodcast ⛏VIDEO CHAPTERS ⛏ 00:00 Introduction 01:45 About Ricus’s Mining Career 07:44 Overview of Makor Resources 12:02 District-Scale Consolidation Strategy in Zambia 15:12 How Social License Impacts Mining Projects 18:42 Identifying Copper Projects with Real Scale Potential 21:25 Why Mining Projects Fail at Execution 24:00 Building Long-Term Mining Platforms Beyond Discovery 25:46 Overview of Minehive & Supporting ASM Mining 33:25 Biggest Gaps in Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining 39:06 Rethinking ASM Integration into the Mining Industry 40:35 Future Copper Supply & Next Generation Mining Companies 44:06 Short-Medium Term Outlook for Makor Resources & Minehive 47:06 Contact Information 48:21 Outro