Megaw, Peter

Part one was recorded on February 29th, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. It covers the following themes: 

b. 1952 

  • Early life and family visits to Tucson in the 1950s.

  • Developing an interest in hard rock geology.

  • First visit to Tucson Gem and Mineral show in 1977.

  • Studying at University of Texas at Austin. Rise of plate tectonic theory. Beginning of environmental movement. 

  • Move to Tucson in 1979. Mineral collection.

  • Description of the Tucson Gem Show in late 1970s. 

  • History of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society in the 1950s and 1960s. 

  • Changes in the market for fine minerals across the history of the Tucson show.  

  • Relationship between Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, the Tucson Convention Center, and the City of Tucson. 

  • Challenges faced by a decentralized event during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • Rise in international sellers and wholesalers in the 1980s. Difference between the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and independent commercial shows. 

  • Post-COVID state of the show, circa 2024. 

  • Customs issues: fossils and irradiated topaz. 

Part two was recorded on March 27th, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. It covers the following themes: 

  • Precious metals exploration job at SAGE (Silver and Gold Exploration) Associates in Tucson in 1979-80. Changes in the precious metals market in 1980. 

  • Closure of SAGE and job with Kennicott in Mexico.

  • Interest in carbonate replacement deposits and enrollment in a Geology doctoral program at the University of Arizona. Strength of the economic geology program at Arizona.

  • The application of plate tectonics to ore deposits. 

  • Changes in attitudes towards Earth sciences and mineral extraction over Megaw’s career: the pipeline of students into geology jobs; tension between extraction and conservation; environmental imperialism and the postindustrial distance between consumers and producers. 

  • Reasons for choosing a career in precious metals exploration geology. Interest in silver. 

  • Working as an independent consultant during doctoral program and a quick survey of the beginning of MAG Silver. 

  • Bre-X mining fraud scandal in 1997 and effect on global mining financing. Connection between silver and gold markets. 

Part three was recorded on May 30th, 2024 in Tucson, Arizona. It covers the following themes: 

  • Founding a precious metals exploration firm in 1988. Change in Mexican mining laws in the early-mid 1990s and influx of foreign capital to Mexico. 

  • Mining market collapse and shuffling ownership of mineral claims in Mexico between 1997-2002. 

  • Co-founding MAG Silver in 2002-3. Partnership with Fresnillo, PLC for extraction. Takeover attempt of MAG Silver by Fresnillo in 2008. 

  • Mining financing and the relationship between speculation and extraction. 

  • Success of MAG Silver. 

  • Changes in mining over Megaw’s career. 

  • The creation of KXCI in 1983. Volunteering as one of the first programmers. Interviewing Frank Zappa. KXCI’s impact on Tucson’s jazz scene. 

Aengus Anderson