Louise Porteus: From Exploration to Legacy - Trust, Land, and Long-Term Value

In this episode, we speak with Louise, an environmental and social leader in mining, about her journey from growing up in an Australian coal community to working across 50+ countries - and ultimately finding her place in the raw materials sector. Driven by a desire to create real-world impact, she shares why she moved from development and consultancy into operations, joining Thor Explorations as it grew into gold mining in Nigeria. Louise discusses what responsible mining looks like in practice - from cutting emissions and making early sustainability decisions to building deep, lasting trust with local communities. She also reflects on the challenges of balancing commercial success with social and environmental responsibility, especially in regions where land holds deep cultural meaning. Looking to the future, the conversation explores mine closure, community legacy, and how the industry must rethink extraction to create long-term value beyond the life of a mine. To find out more about responsible mine closure and wider responsible mining practices, visit www.responsiblerawmaterials.com for hundreds of free videos and resources.