The plan promises predictability, yet the reality is a constant firefight.
For decades, the mining industry has been missing targets, burning out its best people and disappointing stakeholders. Despite technological advances, sites are working as hard as ever, relying on heroics and workarounds just to hit guidance. With each action, the operational debt against the mine's future reliability only compounds.
We've blamed the people, geology, equipment, technology, and even the market. But the real problem has been hiding in plain sight.
Mining For Value exposes the Execution Gap: the growing expanse between strategic ambition and operational reality. This book is your blueprint for building Operational Capability. This is the invisible engine on every site that determines whether smart strategy translates to dollars in the bank or another high interest loan against future performance.
Stop trying to outwork a broken system.
About the Author :
ALEXANDER FRANKLIN is a Chartered Engineer and Managing Director at First Principles Consulting. Frustrated by the value trapped in engineering operations, he stepped away from traditional project work to find a better way. This book blends his diverse, global expertise across sectors with a value investor's mindset to help bridge the gap between the boardroom and the blast site.
Review :
'Mining for Value is a compelling and deeply insightful look into the systemic failures that plague the mining industry and, by extension, many other large organisations today.
It argues that the core issue isn't a lack of technology or invest- ment, it's a pervasive set of behaviours and cultural dysfunctions. The book's strength lies in its meticulous breakdown of the behavioural traps that perpetuate this inefficiency. The book's emphasis on behaviour extends to its proposed solutions, moving beyond simple fixes to champion the development of long-term capacity building. By fostering a commitment culture and empowering leadership rather than just implementing new processes or technology, the book provides a practical, human-centric roadmap for building a more resilient and effective organisation. Mining For Value is a must-read for anyone in a leadership role, offering a clear-eyed view of how to turn a failing system around by addressing the people within it.'
Brett Armstrong, People and Performance Specialist, Leader Capability
'This book is an enjoyable read with a strong message that resonated with me after forty years in the mining industry and having initiated several improvement programs at a variety of sites. I found it insightful, easy to read, and, importantly, it has some excellent examples of real-world situations from outside the industry and solutions that expand the discussion, grab your attention, and really make you reflect on the messages within the text. I would recommend the book to anyone serious about the subject.'
Neil Meadows, Former President, Koniambo Nickel
'This book nails something that has been hiding in plain sight for years: Operational Capability as the real asset. It resonated deeply with me after seeing how many teams get stuck in the firefighting loop. The capability curve, iceberg of ignorance, and operational debt are compelling ideas that will become industry reference points. It's insightful, timely, and written in a way that speaks to both exec-utives and emerging leaders.'
Scott North, Founder and Managing Director, Kamoa Capital
'Alex's commitment to mastering leadership through self-development and disciplined practice is second to none. If more people in management positions embraced even half of what this book delivers, the industry would be in a far better place.'
David Hollingsworth, Founder, Mine Mage
