"Ironic that a small explorer can teach international mining companies new "tricks", but that's what's happening..."

Yeah, it appears ironic, but the nature of the business is that explorers lead the way, producers follow. The larger the producer, the more risk averse they tend to be. This is why in the most recent decades, growth among producers has been via canibalization. That is, producers have been buying each other to add to growth. They no longer prospect except, perhaps, for expanding upon known reservs.

Anglo's JVing with Northern Dynasty at Pebble was a rare, but very understandable exception, though they ened walking away after 6 years and 500 million dollars invested.

It's pretty much the same in this sector in regards to R&D, which is largely done by small start-up companies developing new geotechnologies or means for processing ore.

FWIW

VP