There’s something special about sitting down with a well-designed, carefully curated magazine. Think of National Geographic or Kinfolk… you might pick up an issue for one article, then find yourself sucked into a topic you hadn’t expected to be interested in.
The choice of stories, the way they sit together, the care taken with words and images – it all contributes to the experience. For me, that experience is everything. It’s what keeps me invested in a publication and provides value above and beyond the ‘need to know because it’s business’ imperative.
I’ve been thinking about how to bring more of that feeling to The Intelligent Miner, and our Founding Members agreed. Their message was to go back to our roots and do what we’re good at: thought leadership with people at its core. Getting to the heart of issues, providing valuable perspective, asking questions and making space for conversations that help us see mining differently.
So that’s exactly what we’re doing in 2027. Each month’s editorial will explore one big question through a carefully chosen mix of stories and perspectives.
We’ll start with responsible discovery in January: are we looking for the right minerals, in the right places, in the right way? Later editions will ask what makes a mine future-ready, where we should mine next and what mining’s value proposition is for society. Explore the full 2027 editorial calendar here.
Each month will open with a letter from me (in this newsletter) and an Editor’s Essay introducing the question. Our reading list, Around the Table, will bring in new ideas from mining and beyond. Interviews, features and partner perspectives will explore different angles, while Five Minutes With… will introduce people whose work deserves your attention. We’ll close with reflections on what we’ve learned and what remains unresolved.
As usual, articles will appear online throughout the month on Mondays and Wednesdays. You can follow the whole journey or dip into the pieces that catch your eye.
I want the experience to feel considered, engaging and worth making time for. Something that leaves you with a useful idea or a question you’re still thinking about later. Something you might feel compelled to share with a friend or colleague.
Have a look at the calendar and tell me what you think about this new direction. I’d love to hear from you.
Carly
Editor’s pick
The team at Metso explains why rethinking tailings as part of the wider flowsheet could unlock better mineral recovery, greater water and energy efficiency, and stronger, more resilient mining operations.
Top three articles in October
Our three most-read articles during the past month. Click the pictures to read.
Spotlight: Why most mine turnarounds fix the wrong problem
Alex Franklin explains why the real issue may be a mismatch between strategic ambition and operational capability.
Beneath the surface: Why women’s stories matter in mining
Aarti Soerensen explores why lived experience can reveal insights into culture, leadership and belonging that data and technical reporting cannot.
5 Minutes with… Peter Christensen
Quickfire questions for mining and metals leaders. This month, Peter Christensen, Project Manager for Intrepid Potash, shares his story.