What does it feel like to hit one of the highest-grade nickel drill holes on the planet… and not even be on the drill pad when it happens?

In this long overdue episode, we sit down with Brian Goldner, Chief Exploration and Operations Officer at Talon Metals, for a front-row look at modern-day exploration, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of what's hidden beneath the surface. Recorded in Duluth, Minnesota at the Better In Our Backyards Winter Dinner, this conversation dives deep into the science, the risk, and the reward of chasing critical minerals in today's world.

Brian takes us from a kid in Minneapolis obsessed with rocks to leading one of the most exciting nickel discoveries in North America. We unpack the realities of exploration — a career built on being wrong, challenging assumptions daily, and pushing forward until something clicks. From helicopter-supported fieldwork in remote areas to building an in-house drilling operation during COVID, Brian shares how innovation, teamwork, and timing all play a role in success.

At the center of it all is Talon's recent discovery — a drill hole so significant it ranks among the best globally across multiple metals. But this episode isn't just about the win. It's about the process, the failures that lead to breakthroughs, and the responsibility of developing resources the right way — for communities, for the environment, and for the future of domestic mining.

Episode Sponsors:

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Chapters:

01:00 Welcome to Better In Our Back Yards & Talon Metals

04:12 From Physics to Geology

08:45 Discovering Economic Geology

12:00 How Nickel Deposits Actually Form

18:05 Helicopters, Remote Exploration & Field Life

24:00 Mentorship & Learning Under a Legend

28:00 Prospecting, Core & First Discoveries

35:10 Building an In-House Drilling Operation During COVID

44:10 Critical Minerals, Nickel & Global Demand

52:30 The Vault Discovery: A Career-Defining Moment

01:07:30 The Future of Mining, Technology & Exploration