CMIF: Banking On Change - How Transition Finance Is Redefining Mining Suits And Boots

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CMIF: Banking on Change - How Transition Finance is Redefining Mining

6d ago 36:13

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In this episode, we unpack what “transition finance” means in practice—moving beyond mere labels to the hard levers of industrial decarbonisation. The discussion dives into financing pathways for steel and mining: electrified and biofuel haul fleets, trolley-assist, renewable Purchase Power Agreements, and designing new projects for net zero from day one (not retrofitting later).

We explore how credible ESG performance links directly to investor confidence and permitting, why showing “what good looks like” on site can reset perceptions of modern mining, and where circularity and recycling may scale next. The talent challenge also takes centre stage—how automation and AI change the skills map and why early, hands-on experience still matters. Finally, we connect geopolitics and tariffs to risk, valuations, and cost of capital—arguing for pragmatic, fundamentals-led finance of real, needed hard assets.

Speakers on this episode:

Catriona Bell | Director - Transition Finance | Standard Charter
Assheton Stewart Carter | Executive Chair & Founder - TDi Sustainability

This episode is part of the TDi Sustainability special series of podcasts produced in advance of the Critical Minerals Innovation Forum (CMIF) event that will take place in London between 5 & 6 November 2025. Find out more about the event here.

Chapters

1. Intro: what this episode covers and why transition finance matters. (00:00:00)

2. Who is Catriona Bell? Career highlights from geology to finance and Rio Tinto. (00:02:01)

3. Welcome & setup: the role of finance in a just, sustainable transition (00:03:04)

4. What is “transition finance” and how does it differ from traditional project finance? (00:09:38)

5. Modalities: corporate vs project financing; when “transition metals” qualify. (00:10:40)

6. Is there such a thing as responsible mining today? (examples and realities). (00:15:00)

7. Permitting, investor confidence & showing “what good looks like” on site (00:17:50)

8. Power, comminution & enabling infrastructure within transition-finance scope. (00:22:58)

9. Decommissioned sites as opportunities for renewables—where this could fit. (00:23:20)

10. Talent: founding Young Mining Professionals & attracting skills to mining (00:23:40)

11. Building the pipeline: regional differences and where strong talent is emerging. (00:24:43)

12. Beyond mining tech: cross-disciplinary skills, AI vs “hard assets,” positioning the sector. (00:27:02)

13. Quick-fire questions from “Just transition” to “China”—pragmatic engagement. (00:34:15)

14. Closing thanks and wrap-up. (00:35:05)

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