Technical skills alone are not enough to prove you’re the best in the mining industry. Have you tried tapping into your leadership potential? This could set you apart from the other, especially if you want to climb up the corporate ladder.
In this episode of “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast, I talk to Nick Clarke, the Chief Executive Officer of Central Asia Metals, PLC. From mining engineering to management, Nick’s got the best of both worlds. Nick shares his journey in the early years as a mining engineer in South Africa earning his stripes before entering management where he explains how you can be successful in your career. He continues to elaborate on how to make a mine operation work and be profitable which he has successfully done a few times. He also talks about the fundamentals of operating a mine and what to look out for and not blame the external environments why you can’t succeed.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Nick shares how he made the transition from mining engineering to management. Nick spent a few years in South Africa during the 1970s. Though it was difficult to learn the trade since he was new and away from home, he was determined to do so.
Nick was attracted with the opportunity to travel that's why he pursued mining engineering. During his time, there were a lot of opportunities for emerging professionals overseas. But today, young graduates are having a hard time getting a job posting.
Nick was named CEO of the year by the Mining Journal back in 2013. Nick says it meant a lot for him to receive the award since his shift, though fulfilling, was tough. He went from running a small group of people in the mine to running the whole team of the company. He learned the trade and was eager to be worthy in his new role.
Metals go in cycles. Metal prices don't continually increase. Do your sums and work it out so if the prices get too low, you can still stay in business.
Nick's advice for mining companies: "Don't go overleverage. Keep your loans manageable. Stay with a bite size. Stay comfortable... where if it doesn't go right, it's not gonna kill the company."

BEST MOMENTS

" Your college degree doesn't give you an automatic right to anything. Put your back into and do some hard yards. Learn the craft."
"You always get challenges. You get people that are not fit for the role. Management requires you to ensure that you deal with that. You can't brush it under the carpet anymore."
"Surround yourself with people that are better than you if you can."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Central Asia Metals

ABOUT THE HOST
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 to people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.
Rob 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 the first world to third world countries from Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. We 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’ organisation 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.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Nick Clarke has a long career in the mining industry spanning over 40 years so has seen many success and failures, been through a few bust and boom mining markets and has experienced this in some very high-profile positions.