Mining Minds

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-thinkin...

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 Sp...

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 E...

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,...

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 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 bec...

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 wildernes...

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. Kim...

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 har...

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...

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...

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 1...

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...

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...

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...

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 mu...

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...

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 hi...

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, pre...

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...

In this 2-part podcast Mining Minds takes you deep into the heart of the Nevada Mining Industry. Reviewing a presentation discussed at this year's annual Nevada Mining Association Conference we dive into the critical topics shaping the mining industry's future. From fostering a "Stop the Waste" culture to analyzing Nevada's economic trajectory, we discuss the challenges of balancing inflation and...

In this episode of the podcast, Mining Minds partners with Liebherr Mining to recap the highly successful Dozer Rodeo event held in Northern Nevada. Join us as we explore the excitement and energy of the event, from the operators' experiences to the strong sense of community that was built throughout the week. We dive into the development of the PR776 dozer, the world's largest 70-ton class hydros...

Get ready for an epic episode of the Mining Minds Podcast ! This time, the tables turn as special guest host Conway Fraser takes over to interview the owners and hosts of Mining Minds ! For our new listeners and die-hard followers alike, we're diving into who we are, how it all began, and our journey through the mining industry. This layback/undercut episode brings you behind the scenes—our passio...

In this episode, Mining Minds sit down with Paul Wilmot , a multi-generational miner and chemical engineer from East Ely, Nevada, who grew up playing hockey and later found his way to mining. We dive deep into the importance of revitalizing modern mining as a U.S. industry focus and break down natural progressions in mining methods, especially around sustainable practices. Paul shares insights on...

  In this episode, Mining Minds welcomes Conway Fraser , co-founder of Fraser Torosay and co-author of Leaders Under Fire ! Drawing from his roots in Sudbury, Canada, Conway shares his incredible journey growing up in a mining town on the Nickel Belt, where his passion for storytelling blossomed through high school broadcasting. Conway reflects on his early career reporting on mining companies, hi...