London – 17 February 2023: Women in Mining UK 2022 Summer Internship at Altus Strategies – Grace Nielson
Written by Grace Nielson
This summer I was lucky enough to be offered a two-month internship with Altus Strategies (now Elemental Altus Royalties), a gold royalty company with producing assets on four continents and a unique focus on royalty generation. This internship, in partnership with Women in Mining UK (WIM UK), allowed me to gain invaluable insight into the mining industry by linking together geology and exploration with an understanding of a royalty company business model.
My time with Altus began with a countrywide compilation of GIS data. This kind of review encompassed datasets ranging from relevant geographical information (such as population density, built-up areas, roads, airports and protected areas) to more detailed and complex geological, geochemical and geophysical datasets. Once sourced, I spent time digitising the data in order to create maps showing geology, major structures and any existing geochemistry or mineral occurrences. Gathering and visualising these datasets is integral to creating a comprehensive desktop study prior to expanding exploration into a new country.
During my internship I also undertook a targeting exercise on a potential new licence. Because I already had broad datasets for the country and region, it was a matter of obtaining more detailed information as well as using remote sensing and satellite imagery to scope out potential targets within the licence area.
Alongside the targeting exercise I picked up day-to-day tasks that provided me with a well-rounded understanding of the business as a whole. I had exposure to financial modelling for royalties and created marketing material. I helped write descriptions for the producing royalties and fact sheets for each of the royalty-generating assets. This gave me a deeper understanding of the corporate side of the business as well as the part shareholders play in the business model.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned so much about the mining industry. This internship armed me with tools that I will take with me into my career and use for years to come.