Ep: #95 Dignity in the Dirt: Formalizing Artisanal Mining for a Sustainable Future with Rob Karpati

TIE Unearthed - A podcast by Philippa White - Fridays

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What does it mean to align purpose with business, and why is artisanal mining key to a sustainable future? In today’s TIE Unearthed episode, we’re joined by Rob Karpati, a leader whose impressive career in global finance took a purposeful turn toward driving social impact. As a partner at The Blended Capital Group, Rob is on a mission to reshape artisanal mining—an industry that plays a critical role in the global energy transition. We’ll explore how artisanal mining, which accounts for 20% of the world’s gold and significant portions of essential minerals, can be formalised to improve not just environmental outcomes, but also the dignity and livelihoods of millions in underdeveloped regions. Rob takes us through the collaborative opportunities between artisanal miners and larger industries, the potential for building trust with communities, and why professionalizing this sector is the future of sustainable business. From human rights to climate change, Rob reminds us that business is, at its core, about people. He shares how his own journey from corporate finance to championing responsible mining was driven by the belief that creating social value isn’t charity—it’s a competitive advantage. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of mining, the importance of stakeholder collaboration, and why real impact starts with human connection. 👉 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode, leave a review, and subscribe! If you'd like to stay updated on future episodes and other inspiring stories from TIE, join our newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. If you would like to order Return on Humanity: Leadership lessons from all corners of the earth, you can do that ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.