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Mining Minds

Mining Minds

Mining Minds 228 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

Mining Minds is a podcast based in one of the world's largest gold producing districts. It explores the lives of miners, the communities that support them, and the lifestyles they choose. The podcast discusses the importance of mining to the world and the need for responsible mining for the environment and future.

Episodes

#238- Dr. Kray Luxbacher: From Coal Mines to the Next Generation of Mining
#238- Dr. Kray Luxbacher: From Coal Mines to the Next Generation of Mining Oct 8, 2026 01:00:03 Recorded underground at the San Xavier Mine during the 2026 Collegiate Mining Games, this episode brings Dino and Grover together with Dr. Kray Luxbacher and Scott Shields 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 le
#237- Intercollegiate Mining Games: Adam Arbizo
#237- Intercollegiate Mining Games: Adam Arbizo Sep 18, 2026 40:45 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 mi
#236- A New Chapter- South Railroad
#236- A New Chapter- South Railroad Aug 31, 2026 01:14:54 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 Hough, HR Manager Lori Clarke, and Project Manager
#235- Intercollegiate Mining Games: Robbie Yordt
#235- Intercollegiate Mining Games: Robbie Yordt Aug 21, 2026 39:50 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
#234- SOUTH32 Hermosa: Skylie Estep
#234- SOUTH32 Hermosa: Skylie Estep Aug 19, 2026 01:08:44 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 r
#233- SOUTH32 Hermosa: Project Management Team
#233- SOUTH32 Hermosa: Project Management Team Aug 12, 2026 54:11 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 fo
#232- Intercollegiate Mining Games: Mia Crawford
#232- Intercollegiate Mining Games: Mia Crawford Aug 9, 2026 01:08:46 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
#231 — 40th Annual Elko Mine Expo Keynote Podcast
#231 — 40th Annual Elko Mine Expo Keynote Podcast Aug 4, 2026 59:35 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
#230- South32 Hermosa: Pat Risner
#230- South32 Hermosa: Pat Risner Jul 30, 2026 56:27   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 Mini
#229- Scott Shields
#229- Scott Shields Jul 24, 2026 01:27:45 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 whose c
#228- Allison Anderson
#228- Allison Anderson Jul 15, 2026 01:05:01 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 truste
#227- Dave Spicer
#227- Dave Spicer Jun 24, 2026 01:05:45 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

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