In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Curtis Cadwell, a mining leader who has built a career on bridging cultures, driving innovation, and staying connected to the people at the face. From his beginnings as an accountant in New Mexico to managing global operations across Nevada, Australia, and now South Carolina, Curtis shares stories of lessons learned, challenges faced, and the importance of digging in alongside your team. We talk about the evolution of mining technology, the role of mentorship, the future of autonomous equipment, and how culture makes or breaks a mine site. If you've ever wondered what it takes to merge diverse mining cultures while keeping people and safety at the forefront—this episode is packed with insight.

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Chapters:

01:27 From Montana roots to mining career

03:01 From accounting to the mining industry

05:32 First impressions on site & learning from the pit

08:34 Building trust, field experience, and leadership at the face

13:12 Gold price cycles, lessons from downturns, and efficiency

15:13 Autonomous trucks, mining technology, and the future workforce

20:11 Tech schools, trades, and preparing the next generation

27:13 Career growth: hard work vs. degrees

33:01 Mining culture, team building, and leadership lessons

49:21 Challenges merging mine sites & career highlights

59:19 South Carolina operations, lifestyle, and responsible mining