Why We Mine

Heigh-Ho! Heigh-Ho! Excavating Mining Themes in Media

Why We Mine

Show Notes

When it comes to how industries are portrayed in pop culture, mining companies probably wouldn't make the Top 5 list of the villains everyone loves to hate - but they might make the Top 10. From science fiction tentpoles like Dune, Avatar, and Star Wars, to TV shows like The Expanse and True Detective, and even fantasy franchises like The Lord of the Rings, characters and companies that mine are often depicted in a less-than-flattering way.

In this second season premiere episode of Why We Mine, presented by Teck, host Robin Stickley delves into the sticky stereotype with the help of geologist, mining futurist, and podcast host Emily King. They discuss why the perception is so pervasive, and how the mining industry can change the narrative. Robin also speaks with the leader of a “real life” mining town, Mayor Robin Smith of the District of Logan Lake, British Columbia, to learn how her community has benefited from mining in the past, and how that partnership will continue to pay dividends for decades to come — despite what you might see on the silver screen.

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