In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down at the Mine Safety & Health Conference with returning guest Diane Watson — a respected safety professional, MSHA veteran, and industry leader dedicated to improving safety culture across mining. Originally featured on Episode #93 , Diane returns to share her passion for connecting people, fostering communication, and ensuring the next generation of miners understands the "why" behind safety. From her start as a haul truck operator to her time with...
Nov 12, 2025•1 hr 13 min
In this cutting-edge episode of Mining Minds , we sit down with Michael Hartley , Managing Director of InterKnowlogy, a North American AI and performance visualization company revolutionizing how the mining industry makes decisions. From his early years in Nova Scotia to his global career in oil, gas, and mining, Michael shares a fascinating journey that connects human performance, data-driven decision-making, and the future of AI in industrial operations. With real-world lessons, Michael breaks...
Oct 17, 2025•1 hr 33 min
From a 16-year-old kid cleaning shops to the Director of Mine Skills Training at Great Basin College ( GBC/NORCAT) , Travis Macias embodies what it means to grind, grow, and give back. In this inspiring episode of Mining Minds , Travis shares his raw, real journey through life underground — from hard lessons on the jackleg to leading Nevada's next generation of miners. He opens up about fatherhood, faith, mentorship, and how tragedy and resilience guided his purpose. Whether you're a miner, ment...
Oct 10, 2025•2 hr 9 min
As we wrap up our tour to the Minnesota Iron Range, Mining Minds had the opportunity to sit down with Bob Sterns and Virginia Bennett of US Steel Minntac for a raw and insightful conversation about life, mining, and community in Minnesota's Iron Range. From Bob's deep-rooted family history in mining to Virginia's journey from military brat to analytical technician, they share their insight into the mining cycle of the Iron Range and their passion for preserving it through responsible mining. We ...
Sep 26, 2025•1 hr 9 min
What does pride, legacy, and the future of mining look like on Minnesota's Iron Range? In this episode, we sit down with Ida Rukavinia , Commissioner of the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation , and Kristen Vake , Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota , to dig deep into the history, culture, and future of mining in northern Minnesota. From immigrant roots and unions that shaped entire communities, to today's challenges of permitting, workforce developme...
Sep 18, 2025•59 min
In this special episode of the Mining Minds Podcast , we sit down at U.S. Steel Minntac with Mike Bakk , Director of Facilities Excellence, and Chrissy Bartovich , Senior Director of Environmental. From humble beginnings to leading major projects that shape the future of steelmaking, Mike and Crissy share their personal journeys, leadership lessons, and the innovations driving today's mining industry. We dive into the transformation of mining from "pick and shovel" to high-tech operations featur...
Sep 03, 2025•1 hr 17 min
In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Matt and J ulie Lucas at their home on Minnesota's historic Iron Range. From growing up in Hibbing and Chisholm to careers in environmental consulting, mining operations, and advocacy, Matt and Julie share their personal journeys that reflect the resilience and determination of the mining industry. Matt talks about working nearly two decades alongside his father before joining the mines, where he's now part of the steelworkers' union, keeping cri...
Aug 25, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Overlooking iconic Hibbing Taconite Mining Operation in Minnesota, Mining Minds had the opportunity to speak with two remarkable women whose stories capture the history and heart of mining in the state. First, we're joined by Talia Sandys , Communications and Engagement Director for Mining Minnesota , who has been our guide through the region's rich mining heritage. Then, we dive deep into the incredible 30+ year career of Darleen Gargano , a retired miner who began her journey in 1976 when oppo...
Aug 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Get ready for one of our most unforgettable episodes yet—recorded on a pontoon boat floating on Fall Lake, at the edge of the iconic Boundary Waters in Minnesota! This isn't just another podcast; it's a full-circle conversation with Dean DeBeltz , a third-generation Iron Ranger, passionate outdoorsman, and Vice President of External Relations & Project Operations at Twin Metals Minnesota . From running towboats at 12 years old to shaping the mining culture of a next-generation copper-nickel ...
Aug 06, 2025•1 hr 11 min
In this special on-location episode, Mining Minds travels to the heart of Minnesota's Iron Range to sit down with Rory Oberhelman , Senior Project Coordinator, and Johnny Eloranta , Community Relations Advisor at New Range Copper Nickel . Broadcasting from the iconic nickel room, the conversation dives into the history, pride, and promise of mining in northern Minnesota. Rory shares his unconventional journey from cabin building in Alaska to environmental permitting and project leadership, highl...
Jul 31, 2025•43 min
The mining industry stands at a crossroads. With a rapidly aging workforce, persistent misconceptions, and the growing demand for innovation, the need to reshape how we attract, develop, and retain talent has never been more urgent. In this powerful panel edition of the Mining Minds Podcast , we bring together six influential leaders from across the industry to engage in an honest, forward-thinking discussion on the future of workforce development in mining. Featuring: Alexia Carver ( University...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 45 min
In this episode of the podcast Mining Minds sits down with two remarkable women reshaping the health and wellness landscape: Melissa Montalvo and Josie Cervantes of Elko Replenish Med Spa . Together, they reveal how their professional experiences—from ER trauma to urgent care frustrations—sparked a vision: to create a space that not only heals but empowers. That vision became Elko Replenish Med Spa , a modern facility focused on hormone therapy, IV nutrition, weight management, and overall welln...
Jul 03, 2025•2 hr 7 min
In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast , we sit down with Trampus Cook , Regional Director for RAM Enterprise Inc. , whose journey through the mining world is as rich and layered as the ore bodies he's helped uncover. A fourth-generation miner and cowboy at heart, Trampus takes us through his early days jacklegging in narrow veins of California gold mines, running heavy equipment under Lake Erie, and eventually stepping into leadership with RAM. From growing up between the ropes of cowboy l...
Jun 20, 2025•3 hr 4 min
In our final episode from the 2025 Women in Mining Conference, we're joined by the passionate, bold, and trailblazing Jessica Scanlan —geological engineer, social media influencer, and founder of Mine Life Media . Jessica shares her unique path from a small-town girl in handmade dresses to becoming a respected voice in the mining industry. We dive into her early aspirations, challenges in mining, the power of mentorship, and how she turned burnout into a bold new business rooted in storytelling ...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 55 min
Recorded on-site at the 2025 Women in Mining National Conference in San Antonio, this episode brings authentic, unfiltered stories from two rising voices in the mining world— Margaret Hinton and Paige Courtney . With backgrounds as diverse as cotton farming and competitive athletics to engineering and financial investigations, Margaret and Paige dive into how they found purpose and passion in the mining industry. Together, they share how mining became more than a career—it's a community. From th...
May 22, 2025•1 hr
Mining Minds is recording again from San Antionio for the Annual Women in Mining Conference—and in this powerful episode, we sit down with Jennie (Rice) Davis , a trailblazer whose mining journey redefines perseverance, grit, and growth. Starting as a janitor at just 18, Jennie carved her way through the industry—hauling rock in 777s, navigating early-career adversity, and ultimately rising to become a respected Business Manager and Vice President of the Idaho Chapter of Women in Mining . Her st...
May 14, 2025•1 hr
In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, Mining Minds sits down with the unforgettable Patti Haye — mother, grandmother, storyteller, and true pioneer of family life. At 87 years young, Patti takes us on a powerful journey through her life growing up post World War II, navigating early motherhood, and supporting a family through decades of cross-country moves, strikes, and the Alaskan wilderness. With stories that span barefoot days in the Yakima Valley to raising children in harsh winters an...
May 12, 2025•2 hr 15 min
Join Mining Minds on location at the Women in Mining 2025 National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, as we sit down with two dynamic women shaping the future of mining— Kimberly Myhre and Alexia Carver . Sponsoring the trip were Arnold Machinery and Gold West Fire and Safety , this special episode dives deep into the real-world experiences of women at different stages in their mining careers. Kimberly, a chemical engineer with WSP and a passionate advocate for environmental responsibility in min...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of Mining Minds , we sit down with JD Sundseth —owner of Mountain States Mine Development and Reclamation LLC . JD takes us on a candid journey through his life: from a small-town kid in Spring Creek, Nevada, to a tire-slinging high schooler at Les Schwab , to operating heavy equipment in remote mountain terrain. He opens up about starting a family young, learning the ropes the hard way, and navigating the mining industry—from exploration and greenfield development to full-scale ...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 55 min
Mining Minds is excited to announce our strategic partnership with Jerry Rynearson and JSR Fleet Performance . In this episode we discuss what the influence of mining looks like, we explore the critical importance of understanding operational material management and how past lessons can serve to educate the future of the mining industry. We discuss the concept of viewing production as an ecosystem, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all aspects of operations. Throughout the episode, we delve ...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Tony Morfin , Partner and CEO of Gold West Fire and Safety , sits down with Mining Minds to share his personal journey of hard work and resilience. A third-generation miner and proud Nevadan, Tony grew up surrounded by the mining industry, offering a firsthand perspective on what it's like to grow up in a mining town. From the age of 13, when he started his first job, Tony's work ethic was shaped by a commitment to hard work. As a young adult, Tony reflects on his early mining experiences, the c...
Mar 20, 2025•2 hr 2 min
In this episode, Mining Minds sits down with Merlyn McGraw , a man whose life journey has been shaped by the hard work and values he learned growing up on a ranch in Wyoming. Merlyn shares stories from his early years working alongside his family, where he first understood the importance of hard work, respect, and dedication. From his humble beginnings at a local gas station to riding a Kawasaki 125 into Arizona to be closer to his brother, Merlyn's path took him to the world of water well drill...
Mar 05, 2025•2 hr 2 min
On this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Clorinda and Shawn Cosper to talk about the unique and often challenging life of a traveling miner's wife. Clorinda opens up about her journey, from growing up in a small town and planting roots to give her children stability, to meeting Shawn, and navigating the traveling miner's life. As we dive into their story, Clorinda shares the ups and downs of supporting a lifestyle that requires constant travel, the struggles of managing multiple W-2's, ...
Feb 22, 2025•2 hr 2 min
In this episode, Mining Minds sits down with Rodrigo Barbosa , the CEO of Aura Minerals , to explore his leadership philosophy and approach to building thriving organizations. Rodrigo shares insights gained from his diverse experience working across different companies and cultures, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where people can truly succeed. He discusses the significance of understanding the human element in business, empowering those on the frontlines to make key decis...
Feb 15, 2025•1 hr 31 min
In this episode, Mining Minds sits down with Jason Bubba , Chief Operating Officer of NORCAT , a leader in mining innovation and training. Born and raised in a mining town, Jason's journey is deeply influenced by his early passion for martial arts, which has shaped both his personal and professional life. From entrepreneurial ventures to working his way up at NORCAT, Jason has been instrumental in driving change in the mining industry. He's dedicated to developing the next generation of miners t...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 50 min
Welcome into this episode of the podcast and to the Glizzy Golf Invitational – where golf, questionable commentary, and unforgettable moments collide! This isn't your average tournament. With participants from across the mining industry and with varying backgrounds, the Glizzy Golf Invitational in Elko, Nevada brings together engineers, geologists, metallurgists, and more for an event that's as much about making memories as it is about hitting birdies. Starting in 2023, this event has quickly be...
Jan 31, 2025•2 hr 10 min
On this episode of Mining Minds , we travel to Miami, Arizona, to take part in Capstone Copper's Open Family Days—an event designed to showcase the mine site, the dedicated individuals working there, and to foster community education. We sat down with David Gines , the maintenance manager for Capstone Copper , to discuss the event and hear about his personal mining journey. In addition, we have a conversation with up-and-coming artist Yawnee Gunna , who shares his experiences as a rapper and his...
Jan 21, 2025•2 hr 17 min
In this episode, Mining Minds welcomes Emmy Award-winning producer Jim LePera for an in-depth conversation about his extraordinary career in sports television and golf broadcasting. From his Philadelphia roots to working with some of the biggest names in the industry, Jim offers a fascinating look into the evolution of sports media and the pivotal role golf played in his journey. We explore how his early work ethic, shaped by family and life lessons, laid the foundation for a career that brought...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 57 min
In this episode, Mining Minds welcomes equipment operator Elmer Cantlin, as he's carving out a new path in the mining industry. From his Reno roots and youthful adventures in hunting and fishing to embracing the realities of life on a haul truck, Elmer offers a candid and deeply personal account of his journey. Elmer reflects on how his upbringing, shaped by family traditions and hard lessons, prepared him for a life of resilience and adaptability. He shares raw and humorous anecdotes about step...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 42 min
In Part 2 of The Role of Nevada's Mining Industry , Mining Minds dives deeper into the critical topics shaping the industry now and, in the years, to come. We examine production trends in Nevada and around the globe, forecast upcoming business shifts, and highlight the evolving role of mining vendors. Additionally, we address the challenges of attracting talent, maintaining workforce quality, and the significance of mining tenure and education. The conversation also explores advancements in tech...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 29 min
