Mining Minds

A blasting video at the University of Arizona sparked a career Zach Saufley never saw coming. On episode #239 of Mining Minds , Dino and Grover sit down underground with Zach, a sales engineer at Komatsu , to hear how a first-generation college student from Tucson found his place in mining—and followed that opportunity around the world. From ASARCO internships and Freeport's rotational program to...

Recorded underground at the San Xavier Mine during the 2026 Collegiate Mining Game s, this episode brings Dino and Grover together with Dr. Kray Luxbacher and Scott Shield s for a conversation about the people shaping mining's future. A fifth-generation coal miner, Dr. Luxbacher shares how hands-on experience helped engineering make sense, how an underground production crew shaped her approach to...

Mining Minds heads underground at the University of Arizona's San Xavier Mining Laboratory for Episode #237 with Adam Arbizo , a Marine Corps veteran, second-generation miner, and laboratory coordinator. Raised in the mining community of Morenci, Arizona , Adam initially tried to build a life outside the industry. His journey took him through wildland firefighting, military service, and his first...

The South Railroad Project is entering a new chapter as Orla Mining becomes part of Equinox Gold . In this Mining Minds panel discussion, hosts we talk with the leaders responsible for carrying the project, its people, and its community relationships forward. General Manager Don Dwyer , Community Relations Manager Jaymie Donovan , Mine Manager Steve Houg h, HR Manager Lori Clarke , and Project Man...

Recorded underground at the University of Arizona's San Javier Underground Mining Laboratory during the 48th Annual Intercollegiate Mining Games, this episode of Mining Minds features Robbie Yordt, a systems engineering student building a path into mining engineering. Robbie grew up in San Diego with a love for the outdoors, Scouts and hands-on learning. He entered college interested in aerospace...

In Episode #234 Mining Minds , sit down on location at South32 Hermosa with Skylie Estep , Human Resources Director, for a conversation about opportunity, family, workforce development, and building the next generation of mining professionals. Skylie shares her journey from moving to Nevada as a young mother and starting as a temp at Goldstrike Underground to building a career in recruiting, human...

In this episode of Mining Minds , we sit down with the leadership team behind South32 Hermosa in Southern Arizona: Andy Thompson, Vice President of Project Delivery; Aaron Lamb, Project Director; Miguel Lamadrid, General Manager of Operations; and Joe Dase, Construction & Execution . The team takes us inside the realities of building a major underground mining project on an exceptionally tight foo...

In Episode #232 , Mining Minds sits down with Mia Crawford at the University of Arizona's San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory to explore the experiences shaping her future in mining. Mia shares how her father's legacy inspired her to pursue mining engineering, the determination required to balance college with three jobs, and how hockey helped her develop the confidence and grit to succeed in...

Episode #231 is LIVE — 40th Annual Elko Mine Expo Keynote Podcast  Mining Minds sat down with Amanda Hilton, President of the Nevada Mining Association; Don Dwyer, General Manager of Orla Mining's South Railroad Project; and Vern Goglio, Senior Manager at Cementation USA, for a conversation on the past, present, and future of Nevada Mining . From the evolution of safety and leadership to workforce...

  From a Coal Mine Summer Job to Leading America's Next Critical Minerals Project Pat Risner had no mining background, no family in the industry, and no plan to end up here. One summer underground changed everything. Now, as President of South32 Hermosa, he's building one of the most important zinc and manganese projects in the country — from the ground up. In this episode, Pat joins Mining Minds...

What does it mean to truly think like a miner ? In this episode of Mining Minds , we head underground to the University of Arizona's renowned San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory for our first-ever underground podcast recording. Joining us is Scott Shields , General Manager of Sales for Komatsu Southwest, Strategic Advisor to the San Xavier Laboratory, and a fifth-generation Arizona miner whos...

Great mining projects don't begin with equipment—they begin with trust. In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Allison Anderson, a highly respected external affairs and communications professional, to explore one of the most important—and often least understood—roles in modern mining. Allison shares her unconventional journey from journalism and public relations to becoming a trusted br...

What if the future of mining isn't just measured in ounces produced—but in the communities, habitats, and generations it leaves behind? In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Dave Spicer—miner, rancher, entrepreneur, conservation advocate, and lifelong Beatty resident—for a thought-provoking conversations about the future. Dave's story is deeply intertwined with the history of Beatty, N...

The future of mining isn't coming — it's already clocked in. In this episode of Mining Minds , The Next Shift , Mining Minds sits down in Beatty, Nevada with a panel of young professionals from AngloGold Ashanti who are helping redefine the future of modern mining from the ground up . From geology and environmental planning to HR, communications, and project development, this conversation pulls ba...

Arizona Copper Country, Global Mining Projects, Leadership & Legacy Recorded at the historic Ore House in Oracle, Arizona, this episode marks Part 2 of Hector Denogean 's incredible mining journey. If you haven't heard the beginning of Hector's story, be sure to check out Episode #164- Part 1: Hector Denogean Episode #225- Part 2: Hector Denoge a n   Episode Sponsors: AngloGold Ashanti North Ameri...

From Service to Safety, Building Trust, and Leading Forward In Episode #224 of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with  Mary Koerner , Health, Safety & Security Manager at AngloGold Ashanti's Nevada project, to explore what it truly means to build safety and culture from the ground up—at a stage where every decision carries weight. From growing up in a small Montana town to serving 12 years in...

Betting on Yourself, Breaking Cycles, and Building Something Bigger Recorded from the Copper Brothel Brewery in Sonoita, Arizona, Mining Minds sits down with longtime friend and the Bald Mountain Bad Boy himself, Mike Hill , for a conversation filled with lasting lessons, career pivots, and the realities of rebuilding yourself both inside and outside the mining industry. Mike didn't follow a clean...

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Joel Donalson , Vice President of Sustainability at AngloGold Ashanti , from their Las Vegas office overlooking the valley. Joel shares a powerful story that spans generations in mining, from growing up in a mining family to helping lead one of Nevada's most exciting new projects. We dive into Joel's journey—from working in an assay lab as a teenag...

This one is personal. Beatty, Nevada isn't just another mining town—it's our hometown. It's where we grew up, where we learned what community really means, and where mining first became real to us. Coming back and sitting down with Gus Sullivan , Beatty's Justice of the Peace, isn't just a conversation—it's a chance to reconnect with the people and stories that helped shape who we are. Gus has see...

In this episode, Mining Minds had the opportunity to get back to our roots in a small mining town that's seeing new life through projects like North Bullfrog and Arthur with AngloGold Ashanti . While on site, we sat down with Nick Fouché , Senior Vice President of Nevada Projects for AngloGold Ashanti —an individual who cares just as much about production and the success of the town as he does abo...

What happens when you bring together project leaders, national advocates, and boots-on-the-ground operators—all in one room—to talk about the future of mining in America? Recorded in Duluth, Minnesota at the Better In Our Backyard Winter Dinner, this episode delivers a high-impact series of conversations with some of the most influential voices shaping today's mining landscape. From copper develop...

Recorded in Duluth, Minnesota at the Better in Our Backyard Winter Dinner, this episode of Mining Minds brings you a raw, unfiltered conversation with Shari McGregor-Overbye —millwright, industry advocate, and host of the Iron Lady Podcast . From growing up learning the trades beside her father to becoming an onsite mechanic, Shari's story challenges outdated perceptions and highlights the real op...

In this episode of Mining Minds, we go behind the scenes of the Elko Mining Expo — a 40-year legacy event that transforms a tight-knit mining community into a global hub of innovation, networking, and opportunity. Sitting down with the powerhouse team at the Elko Convention Center & Visitors Authority , this conversation uncovers the hardwork, coordination, and passion required to bring over 6,000...

What does it feel like to hit one of the highest-grade nickel drill holes on the planet… and not even be on the drill pad when it happens? In this long overdue episode, we sit down with Brian Goldner , Chief Exploration and Operations Officer at Talon Metals , for a front-row look at modern-day exploration, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of what's hidden beneath the surface. Recorded in Dul...

In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build something that actually lasts in the mining industry — not just in business, but in people, culture, and legacy. Join us in the studio with Matt Coffin , Vice President of Mining for N.A. Degerstrom , for a grounded, real-world conversation on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the long game of building in mining. From early career lessons and taki...