One thing I've noticed over the past few months is that advisory boards in the mining sector are starting to look very different.
It used to be mostly geologists, mining engineers and former executives. Now companies are adding people with backgrounds in finance, capital markets, technology, public policy and international business.
NRED's latest appointment of Lee Evan Caplin fits that broader trend. According to the company, he'll support strategic growth initiatives, corporate development and capital markets as NRED continues expanding both its exploration activities and its technology platform.
That makes sense when you consider how much the business has changed. Advancing a project today isn't only about finding copper. It's also about financing, partnerships, permitting, technology, communications and long-term positioning.
Wilmac is still an exploration-stage project, but alongside field programs, MetalCore, EyeX and recent technology hires, the advisory team keeps expanding into areas that don't directly involve drilling.
I'm starting to think the industry is quietly acknowledging that building a mining company now requires a much broader set of skills than it did a decade ago.
