Mining Minds

For a year Mining Minds has been sitting down with guests to talk about mining; on this week's episode we take a step back to talk about Coronavirus. We discuss our opinions, thoughts, and how the mining industry in Northern Nevada is handling the pandemic. We dive into some of the rumors, some of the hysteria, talk about fake news, and ways we are proactively handling the situations. Join Mining...

Electrical/Maintenance professional Joel Salazar meets up at the Face to talk with Mining Minds. Joel talks about his electrical experience, the reason he loves the Northern Nevada outdoors and what it's like to work on some of the world's biggest shovels. He discusses his approach to helping others learn, walking through those open doors of opportunity, and working like you're not afraid of being...

As Mining Minds celebrates its 50th episode, guest Rich Maier joins us to walk through his mining journey. Rich talks about the childhood that molded him, the passion that drives him and the work ethic that makes him who he is. He discusses the importance of setting high standards and expectations for himself and for those that work with him. Join Mining Minds as we welcome Rich Maier into the stu...

Senior Human Resources Business Partner Leslie Kemp sits down with Mining Minds to walk us through her mining story. Leslie tells us about how she paid for college by fighting wildland fires, her background in psychology, and the importance of caring for the people you work with. She also discusses the importance of having honest conversations and truly helping individuals succeed. Join Mining Min...

Thirty-year miner Mark Blakeman sits down with Mining Minds and drops some tips for the young miners out there. Mark talks about getting his start in the uranium mines, coaching little league, and the changes he's seen in mining through the years. We reminisce with Mark about working at the Bullfrog mine in Beatty and discuss life outside of mining, like the outdoors. Mining Minds would like to we...

Operations Manager Joe Kemp finds his way into the Mining Minds studio to talk to us about his mining journey. Joe walks us from his agriculture background and into the different functions of the mining cycle he has experienced. He talks about the importance of culture, listening, and pulling in the right people to operate a successful mine. Join Mining Minds as we welcome Joe Kemp to the Face.   ...

"If you want stuff you have to do stuff" says Derek Russell. Mining Minds was able to sit down with Derek as he talked about coming from Southern California to this Northern Nevada area. New to the mining community he discusses the opportunities places like these provide. Derek talks about trying and failing versus not traying at all, uprooting his family, and continuing to grow as a person. Join...

Mining Minds had the opportunity to sit down with Aaron Granger this week and talk about his mining experience, his new journey with a new company and what drives him to be better. On this 40oz Friday addition, we recap some of the experiences we had running Lamoille Canyon and Aaron talks about what it meant for him being with family and friends for the Marine Core Marathon. One of the big reason...

Senior Geotechnical Engineer Tye Lasich pops in the studio to talk about his journey from a Montana ranch kid to working for one of the worlds largest gold producers. Tye talks about his experience mining underneath the World Trade Center, standing on top of a blast mat as a round goes off, and discusses some of the technical aspects of his profession. Join us as we welcome in Tye Lasich to the st...

Industrial Hygienist Shandy Holm sits down with Mining Minds for an impromptu episode in the studio. We talk about her journey into mining, how her hometown has influenced her career, and why she loves what she does. Shandy talks about caring for "her" miners and even puts on a little trash talking clinic throughout the episode. Join Mining Minds as we welcome Shandy Holm into the studio. 

Jeff Watson joins Mining Minds to kick off 2020 in a healthy way. He talks about his experiences as a miner and the road that led him to be an entrepreneur. Jeff explains how he is changing the health and wellness industry, discusses the importance of asking for what you want and the successes of failure. Join Mining Minds as we welcome Jeff Watson into the studio. You can follow Jeff on Facebook...

Mining Minds enjoyed much success in 2019 and that success came from the guests, our sponsors, and you the listener. We take this episode to reflect on this past year, dive into the guests we had on and some of the most memorable moments. Thank you again to everyone who has supported us and we look forward to making 2020 a great year! 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Mining Minds. This week Victor Ortiz sits down in the studio to bring us some holiday cheer. He talks about going from a bank manager, to a haul truck operator, and his role now as a safety specialist. Victor talks about some of his personal strengths, struggles and insights into building a strong organizational culture. We'd like to thank Victor for joining...

On this week's episode, Thomas Sutton sits down with Mining Minds and talks about his journey with cancer, wanting to become a doctor as a kid, and how mining eventually chose him. We discuss the importance of understanding the business side of mining, bonuses underground, a few shower stories, and Thomas' goals inside and outside the mining industry. Mining Minds would like to thank Thomas for st...

Singer, songwriter, miner... Alan Franklin sits down with Mining Minds to talk about his journey. Alan walks us through some of the good times and hard lessons learned as an underground miner. He shares how he came into writing music and is the first on Mining Minds to perform live in studio! From country to rap Alan can lay down some lyrics and shows both sides on this episode. Stay tuned after t...

On this week's episode we explore the mining journey of Kristi Ojala. Kristy describes the moments in her career that defined her and took her down the path that has allowed her to thrive in the mining industry. Kristy offers her advice to new miners and describes life in the mining industry for female miners, especially the females who are at the Face. Join us as we welcome Kristy to the show. Jo...

From the Department of Transportation, to mining and back. Joel McDermott joins us to talk about his journey and the things he's learned along the way, especially the impact that surveying has in mining. Joel details the reason why he started mining and what brought him back to the Department of Transportation. He also talks with us about being healthy and what kinds of activities he does outside...

Love what you do and do what you love, Kevin White does both as a blasting professional! He sits down with Mining Minds and talks about the technical side of blasting, how far we have come in the industry, and where the profession of blasting is heading. Kevin tells us how coloring eggs helped him sink roots in this Northern Nevada area and how his passion for work keeps him motivated. Join us in...

After the ore has been mined, its time to process it. Steve Martinez sits down with Mining Minds to explain what that looks like and how we get ore from this Northern Nevada area. Through his 30 years of experience, Steve had learned a thing or two, drops some knowledge on us, and talks about his journey. He also talks about his love for his children and reconnecting with his wife as an empty nest...

Health, wellness, and personal growth coach Natashia Dallin is back for another sit down with Mining Minds. This time Natashia educates us on aspects of physical fitness and the benefits that come with it. We also have a little fun as she coaches us at Mining Minds on some of our physical fitness goals. Whether understanding a workout or better understanding yourself, Natashia has a wealth of know...

Equipment operator and innovator Spencer Sutherland sits down with Mining Minds and talks about his time as a surface and underground miner. Spencer shares his experiences with operating equipment and brings a much-needed innovation to the mining industry. Personal Protective Equipment is a huge part of keeping miners safe and Spencer reveals how he plans to level up respirators in the industry! J...

What is customer service? As a miner, who is your customer and what type of service are you providing? We are all professionals in what we do but do we think about the customer we are serving and how that impacts the overall mining process? Mining Minds discusses customer service, the roles that we play in getting ounces out of the earth and the ways that we provide that service! Tune in, Brass in...

Being a young supervisor has its challenges, but Nate Dillon speaks beyond his years and discusses some of the strategies that has helped him and his team. Nate talks with Mining Minds about why he initially went into mining, his views on stress, and how he manages his work-life balance. Nate drops some knowledge on the platinum rule and treating people how they want to be treated. Tune in as Mini...

Brad Niman sits down with Mining Minds and talks about his journey from small town Northern Nevada to traveling the globe with the military. Brad discusses his time as a laboratory technician (lab rat) and his role as a warehouse supervisor. He explains his why behind staying healthy and passing that down to his boys. Mining Minds would like to welcome Brad Niman to the studio!     Miningmindsllc....

Just like prospectors before him, Chris Rodriguez takes his family and skills north to Alaska. Chris talks about moving from the mining focused work to the civil side of construction. He walks us through some of the decisions he and his family had to make when choosing to head north and discusses some of the opportunities that are ahead. Listen in as Mining Minds follows Chris through his next ven...