Show notes
It can take more than 15 years to permit and build a new mine in the United States - yet nearly every modern technology we rely on, from smartphones to fighter jets to AI data centers, depends on a steady supply of critical minerals.In this episode, Erik Torenberg is joined in the studio by Turner Caldwell, founder of Mariana Minerals, along with American Dynamism general partner Erin Price-Wright and partner Ryan McEntush.Turner spent nearly a decade at Tesla, working his way upstream from factory design to battery materials and mining. Now, he’s building a new kind of mining and refining company - vertically integrated and software-first- designed to meet the demands of our industrial future.We get into why the industry is so broken, what it actually takes to turn rocks into usable materials, and how the U.S. can rebuild its capacity to mine, refine, and manufacture the things that matter most. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction to Critical Minerals00:45 The Importance of Mining in Modern Technology00:58 Meet Turner Caldwell and Marianna Minerals03:02 The Mining and Refining Process05:10 Challenges in the Mining Industry07:11 Turner's Journey from Tesla to Marianna15:31 The Role of AI and ML in Mining22:00 Geopolitical and Talent Pool Dynamics23:46 Challenges in Junior Mining Exploration25:30 Mariana's Product and Approach25:47 Leveraging Technology in Mining and Construction28:29 Optimizing Refining Processes with AI37:31 The Importance of Critical Minerals41:18 Permitting and Regulatory Challenges46:08 Future Strategies and International Expansion46:53 Conclusion and Future Outlook Resources: Find Turner on X :https://x.com/tbc415Find Erin on X: https://x.com/espricewrightFind Ryan on X: https://x.com/rmcentush Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
