Mining Minds

Founders Brett Baker and Troy McDonald join Mining Minds to talk about their knowledge sharing network, Torqn . Brett and Troy discuss coming from the mining industry, growing up in the same small town, not knowing one another, and finally coming together to revolutionize the mining industry. Taking the best from all social media platforms, they are currently in 93 countries and growing. Through T...

On this episode of the podcast, Mining Minds sits down with our good friend Matt Hillard, on the eastern side of the United States, to discuss mining! We dive into data collection in today's environment, local operational shutdowns, and the importance of ethical mining operations. We discuss making the mining industry more visible to the world, the transformation of technology in the industry, and...

Director of Metals for Dyno Nobel , Xavier Naeger sits in studio to talk with Mining Minds about his mining journey. Growing up in an artsy family, Xavier discusses his first exposure to mining, the opportunity to dredge the Arkansas river while in college, and ultimately landing in Northern Nevada. He walks us through his work in underground projects, being on the contractor side of mining, trave...

Executive Director: for Workforce Development & Mining Center of Excellence at Great Basin College , Sam Spearing joins Mining Minds in studio to talk about his journey through the industry. Sam discusses growing up in Africa, getting his name from a cartoon, and opportunities afforded to him as a first-generation miner. He talks about what it was like to work in one of the largest mining district...

President and CEO of Barrick Gold Corporation sits down with Mining Minds , at Nevada Gold Mines headquarters, to talk about his mining journey. Mark walks us through his younger years playing sports, serving in the cold war, and starting his college career in agriculture. He discusses his background in geology and the path to creating Randgold Resources while during some interesting political and...

Chief Executive Officer for Gaize , Ken Fichtler, joins Mining Minds from Missoula Montana to talk about impairment. Ken discusses his early career as an entrepreneur, working with infrared optics technologies and his time as an Economic Development Director in Montana. We walk through Gaize and their innovative way to detect substance impairment through VR headsets and micro-movements of the eyes...

Manager of Geomatics & Counselor for Asset Assurance Monitoring , John Metzger , travels from Indiana to sit down with Mining Minds at the Face! John walks us through his early years as a photographer, his experiences educating in the Peace Corps, and starting a computer business in Senegal. He discusses his route into mining, utilizing new technology to add value, and the value of sharing informa...

Growth and marketing manager for FAST2 Mine , Jeremias Azambuja, travels in from Brazil to meet Mining Minds at the Face. Jeremias talks about growing up from humble beginnings, traveling to different locations around the globe while in university and eventually landing in Elko Nevada to become part of the community. We discuss the need to understand the problems and issues in mining, becoming an...

Supply Planning Specialist Toni Pierce joins Mining Minds , in studio, to talk about her journey in the mining industry. She walks us through her early role as a laborer, becoming a process operator, and working a rotating schedule while being a young mother. Toni discusses the support and balance her and her husband have, getting her drive from her mom, and rolling with the punches. Join Mining M...

Executive Director of Northeastern Nevada Regional Development Authority Sheldon Mudd sits in studio to talk with Mining Minds . Sheldon talks about being born and raised in Idaho but being made in Nevada. He discusses his military background, beginning his mining journey as an exploration database analyst, and getting into economic development. He walks us through his passion for ensuring the min...

Environmental Superintendent Chris Natoli joins Mining Minds in studio to share his mining journey. From growing up in Wyoming playing baseball to helping develop the environmental science degree at his college, Chris had many interesting experiences along the way. He discusses working with fish hatcheries, his time as a volunteer fire fighter, patrol deputy, and EMT and starting his mining career...

Executive Vice-President, Treasurer and Director of Gold Express Mines , Howard Crosby joins Mining Minds to share some of his knowledge about the mining industry and lessons he has learned throughout the years. Howard educated us on some of the great untouched potential here in the United States and the influence it will have on the country. We take a deep dive into the mining ventures of Gold Ex...

Mining Minds takes to the road and travels to Lake Tahoe for the annual Nevada Mining Association and Winnemucca Nevada for the first annual Mining into The Future Symposium. On this episode we had the opportunity to sit down with Alex Stoner of Global Business Reports and dive into their publication. We also had the privilege to sit down with Dana Pray of P&C Recruiting and HR as she gives some i...

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and raised in Northern Nevada, ILL Zakiel  has put years into his craft. He has since released a large catalog of music and has been building a loyal following along the way. ILL has established himself as a legit up and comer. Proving time and time again he can energize virtually any crowd, ILL is poised to win new fans at any show he performs at. He's been fo...

President of RAM Enterprise, Inc. Tim Horn sits down in studio with Mining Minds to talk about his career in the mining industry. From his Northern Nevada roots to mining Magnesite, Tim discusses leadership throughout his life. He educates us on vulcanizing, discusses growing business through relationships, and helping his employees live their fullest lives. Join Mining Minds as we Welcome Tim Hor...

Let's talk about it… stress, anger, emotions. Why in a world of tough guys can we not talk about what's really on our mind? On this episode of the podcast Founder of BGA, Jesse Herrera, sits down with Mining Minds to talk about the mentality of miners. We discuss setting ego aside to confront issues within ourselves, the reality of drinking through issues, and being ok with not being ok. We talk a...

President and founder of ALIVE @ WORK LLC Joe Contrera sits down with Mining Minds to talk about development, leadership, and influence! As a speaker, executive coach, and consultant for 30 years Joe has been igniting the fire in leaders so they can create an ALIVE @ Work Culture ! Joe walks us through his upbringing, the influence of his mothers words, and leading his first team. We discuss the i...

For the first time Mining Minds took to the road to podcast away from home. The Eastern Nevada Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration held their annual fundraiser event in Ely Nevada, and we had the opportunity to speak with many of the individuals and businesses attending. We met some amazing people, had great conversations, and were able to talk a little trash while podcasting from hole nu...

Human Resource professional Nikita Grover joins in studio to talk about her role in her mining industry. Nikita talks about being from a generational mining family, how hard work in her early years has helped her career, and life as a working mother. Along he way she discusses her opportunities through her career, the value in following good leadership, and her approach to developing quality cultu...

#120- Jimmy Macpherson Jr. Mining Engineer Jimmy Mac Jr. joins Mining Minds in studio to talk mining. In this episode we talk about surface and underground differences, the different roles in the mining process and the opportunity to learn from one another, and ideas to influence the next generation of young miners. Jimmy talks about the guidance he received as a young man, his experience growing...

Equipment Operator and old school miner Marlin Elam joins Mining Minds at the Face to talk about the industry. Marlin walks us through being broke-in as a dozer operator, his experiences as a young miner and his journey from Arizona mining to Northern Nevada mining. He discusses today mining (whiners not miners), treating development projects like an artist's blank canvas, and wood working in his...

Executive Managing Director for Nevada Gold Mines Greg Walker joins Mining Minds to walk us through his mining journey. As a third-generation miner Greg talks about growing up in the mining industry in western Australia, starting his career as a process operator and taking an alternative route to gain his education. He discusses his experiences throughout the global mining industry, taking the opp...

On this episode of the podcast, we take the face to the Expo. For the first time Mining Minds had the opportunity to be part of the Elko Mining Expo and give our review. We were able to talk to a handful of individuals in the industry, including master mechanic Cecil Cotten, Independent Field Service Technician Jesse Boudes, Sales professional Clint Harper, and Account Manager Matt Hilliard. Join...

Lawyer and President of Nevada Mining Association Tyre Gray joins Mining Minds in studio to talk mining. From the four corners of San Diego to grinding and becoming a successful lawyer, Tyre discusses mining being that first step in the green revolution. He walks us through the impact COVID had on his entry into his role as president, his de-mystifying and diversification plan for his team, and ta...

Machinist and Maintenance Technician Cecil Cotton sits in studio with Mining Minds on this episode of the podcast to talk about his journey! Cecil walks us through growing up in Texas, moving to Las Vegas where he met his wife, and eventually landing in the Northern Nevada mining community working on equipment. He discusses his career being molded by his early years as a machinist, putting safety...