Mining Minds

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...

What if the biggest challenge in mining leadership isn't strategy, production, or policy — but the brain? In this episode of Mining Minds , David Watson , founder of NeuroLead , joins us in the studio for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead — starting with yourself. From humble beginnings in Australia to the iron ore boom, David shares his journey from carpenter to supervisor...

What happens when a Hopi tribal member steps into one of mining's most complex spaces — not to fight it blindly, not to defend it blindly — but to bridge it? W e sit down with LeRoy Shingoitewa of WestLand Resources at the AEMA Annual Meeting for one of the most powerful and perspective-shifting conversations we've had to date. Raised in Moenkopi, Arizona — where some villages still live without r...

From working road construction in the Midwest to leading a nationally recognized advocacy organization, Ryan Sistad , Executive Director of Better In Our Backyards , has taken a path that is anything but typical. We explore how entrepreneurship, resilience, and an unwavering belief in responsible development transformed a small regional initiative into a multi-state platform amplifying the voice o...

Recorded at the 2025 American Exploration and Mining Association Annual Meeting, this Mining Minds episode features Walsh Reclamation Operations Manager Troy Hawkins . Troy shares his background as a ninth-generation miner and reflects on how his father—a self-described "tramp miner"—was his hero and shaped his values around respect, hard work, and character over credentials. He discusses growing...

Join Mining Minds at the 2025 American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, as we sit down with Milan Calendine , geoscientist and marketing manager. In this episode, we reflect on the success of the newly introduced Mining Marketing Summit , led by Milan and her outstanding team of marketing and industry experts.  Milan also shares her journey from environment...

Sitting down with Mining Minds at the Utah Mining Association's 110th Annual Convention is Trevor Hal l, co-founder and host of the Mining Stock Daily podcast. Trevor shares his journey of creating and growing his widely respected podcast—from early mornings dedicated to mining news to building a robust content network. He discusses the origins, challenges, and evolution of the venture, noting tha...

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Kevin Neville at the Utah Mining Association Convention to unpack a raw, honest journey through underground hard rock mining, international contract work, and the realities of chasing success without losing yourself along the way. From his first awe-filled moments descending a shaft at Resolution Copper to managing the mental, physical, and emotion...

Back at it again with the second episode of The Safe Word , where real conversations driven by you—the listeners—are unpacked by seasoned miners with decades of experience. This raw, unscripted discussion tackles some of the most debated—and often misunderstood—topics in mining safety, cutting through policy talk to focus on what actually matters at the face. The conversation begins with safety gl...

In this thought-provoking episode, Mining Minds, sit down with Lyndsay Wright , Executive Director of the Women's Mining Coalition , for an honest, wide-ranging conversations. From growing up in Texas to working in real estate finance, navigating burnout, and ultimately finding purpose in mining advocacy, Lyndsay shares a career journey shaped by curiosity, resilience, mentorship, and authenticity...

We close out 2025 with a special episode recorded live from the Glizzy Golf Tournament at the Elko Municipal Golf Course — a one-of-a-kind event that continues to bring the mining industry together in the most authentic way possible. This episode is a fast-paced, round-table style snapshot of the people who make mining what it is. From engineers, geotechnical and environmental professionals, surve...

Before the citations. Before the regulations. Before the arguments—there's people. In the first-ever Safe Word segment of Mining Minds , Grover sits down with longtime mentor, former MSHA inspector, and no-nonsense safety professional Jim Hoover to have the conversations most safety meetings never do. This episode strips away the myths, the fear, and the finger-pointing around mining safety and re...

Join Mining Minds from the 2025 Mine Safety & Health Conference as we sit down with Don Neff , Security Manager and longtime Nevadan. Don shares his journey from growing up in Elko County to serving in the Air Force's photo-recon field, working as a Nevada Highway Patrol officer, and ultimately finding his place in mining safety. Drawing on decades of experience, Don talks about reading people, le...